Clifden Poor Law Union archive collection, Descriptive List, GPL3.pdf

GPL3/ 

Clifden 

Poor Law Union 

Archive Collection 

1849 - 1921 

A Descriptive List Prepared by Galway County Council Archives

GPL3/ 




1849 - 1921 

© Galway County Council 

All Rights Reserved. 

No part of this list may be reproduced or transmitted 

in any form without the written permission of 

Galway County Council 

First produced 2012

Produced by 

Galway County Council Archives 


County Hall 

Prospect Hill 

Galway 

© Galway County Council 

2012

Clifden Poor Law Union 

Letter from Thomas McWalters CC, Inishbofin to the Board of Guardians stating:- 

‘In consequence of there being no Guardian at present to represent the ratepayers of this 

Island at your meeting I deem it incumbent upon me respectfully to suggest to the Board the 

necessity of appointing some fit person to act in the capacity of Relieving Officer here for the 

coming six months. 

This necessity arises from the fact that several families on the island are already suffering 

from want of food, and that if “outdoor relief” be not extended to them there is every 

likelihood that they will perish of hunger. 

Seeing the poverty and misery of many of the poor people here I have been endeavouring for 

weeks past to induce them to enter the Workhouse but all to no purpose, they seem determined 

to die of sheer want in their own little hut rather than become inmates of it…’. 

(11 February 1863, GPL3/28, p409) 

Cartlann Chomhairle Contae na Gaillimhe „…cuimhne dhoiciméadach Chontae na Gaillimhe a shealbhú, a chaomhnú agus a dhéanamh inrochtana’ 

Galway County Council - Archives „…to acquire, preserve and make accessible the documentary memory of county Galway’ 

i.




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Table of Contents 

Page No. 

Scope and Content 

POOR LAW UNIONS 

CLIFDEN POOR LAW UNION – BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES 

Medical Charities 

Workhouse Staff 

Religion 

Water, Drainage and Sewers 

Amalgamation and Closure 

Arrangement 

Non-Disclosure Requirement 

Archival History 

Allied Material 

Primary Sources 

Secondary Sources 

v 

v 

viii 

xviii 

xx 

xxi 

xxii 

xxvi 

xxix 

xxx 

xxx 

xxxi 

xxxi 

xxxii 

Appendices 

xxxv 

A. List of Some of the Members of the Board of Guardians xxxvii 

B. Electoral Divisions covered by Clifden Poor Law Union xli 

C. List of some Workhouse Officials and Staff xliii 

D. Recorded Number of Inmates Resident and Deaths in the Workhouse xlix 

E. Cost of Inmates in the Workhouse lvii 

F. List of Abbreviations lix 

A. Minutes of Board of Guardians Meetings, 1849 - 1921 2 

B. Incoming Letter Books, 1849 70 

C. Diet Book for Healthy Inmates, 1856 - 1857 72 

D. Damp Press Copy Letter Book, 1903 - 1907 72 



iii.




iv.


Scope and Content 

This collection of Clifden Poor Law Union archives consists primarily of Board of Guardian 

minute books, 84 in total, dating from 1849 to 1921, with some gaps, together with letter 

books and a diet book. Several of the earlier volumes have suffered severe mould damage, 

with resultant loss of substantial quantities of text and rendering other sections illegible. 

These volumes are inaccessible; they are GP3/16b, 38, 39, 51 and 65. 

POOR LAW UNIONS 

The Poor Law Act for the ‘more effectual Relief of the Destitute Poor in Ireland‟ was 

introduced to Ireland by the Poor Relief (Ireland) Act, 1838 and operated until 1925. The Poor 

Law system was originally constituted for the sole purpose of relieving paupers in 

workhouses, but by the 1880s had gathered to itself a great variety of powers. George 

Wilkinson, Architect, designed the workhouses. Under the Act the country was divided at first 

into 130, later increased to 163, different poor law union administrative districts, each of 

which had a workhouse, financed by poor rates paid mostly by landowners. The Union areas 

in Ireland were formed by describing an area of ten miles radius around each market town. 

Initially the Act did not permit outdoor relief; assistance and relief to the destitute poor was 

granted only in a workhouse. However, by 1847 outdoor relief was granted. 

Each Union was under the close supervision and control of a central governing body. Prior to 

1847 the English Poor Law Commission had responsibility for the administration of the poor 

law in Ireland; thereafter a separate Poor Law Commission for Ireland was established. Its 

membership comprised the Irish Chief Secretary, the Under-Secretary, and the Chief 

Commissioner. Assistant Commissioners, inspectors and clerks staffed it, and it supervised 

the election and proceedings of Boards of Guardians. The Commission was abolished in 

1872, and its functions were transferred to the Local Government Board. This Board was 

composed of the Irish Chief Secretary, the Under-Secretary, a Vice President and two 

commissioners and took over responsibility for supervising the administration of the poor law 

system and public health legislation. The Board had a staff of regional inspectors and 

auditors to supervise and report on the activities of poor law guardians and other local 

authorities 1 . 

A Board of Guardians, consisting of two thirds elected and one-third ex-officio members, had 

direct responsibility for the administration of the union workhouses. The Guardians were 

generally local magistrates, landlords and the better class of farmers. Roughly ¼ of the 

1 

S. J. Connolly (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Irish History, Oxford University Press, 1998. 



v.


Board‟s members (½ after 1847) were appointed from among the Justices of the Peace 

holding land within the Union. The remaining members of the Board were elected by the 

ratepayers whose holding was valued at £4 or over. Every ratepayer had at least one vote, 

and the number of votes increased according to valuation and other conditions in a complex 

manner. The owners of property had similarly plural votes, the general maximum being six. 

The position was unpaid. 

Lists of Guardians are often found in various contemporary directories such as Slater‟s, 

Pigot‟s, or Thom‟s or may often be found in local contemporary newspapers. 

The Board regulated, ratified and controlled, subject to approval from the central governing 

body, all aspects of Union administration. The Board was financed by the collection of rates; 

the property tax which funded a Union‟s operations. The poor law rate was, until 1898, 

decided by the Guardians, thereafter the rate was struck by the newly established County 

Councils. 

The Board was also responsible for the erection, maintenance and administration of a 

workhouse. In addition to providing directly for the poor and the day to day administration of 

the workhouse, the poor law guardians gradually accumulated further responsibilities. The 

Guardians became over time „the public sewer-makers, the custodians of burial grounds and 

wells, the constructors of waterworks, the proprietors of dwellings for labourers, the executors 

of compulsory vaccination laws and laws relating to the sanitation of dwellings and public 

nuisances, and the repositories of a number of other powers down to the muzzling of dogs 

and the slaughtering of diseased animals‟ 2 . 

For instance, in the early 1850s, under the Medical Charities Act of 1851, they were 

responsible for the provision and management of dispensaries to provide free medical 

attendance for the sick poor. The boards had to provide the necessary appliances and 

medicines, and the salaries of the medical officers were to be paid out of the poor rate. In 

1851 the 3,438 electoral divisions of the country were divided into 718 dispensary districts. 

From the early 1860s they were responsible for the boarding-out of children, and from 1883 

under various Labourers‟ Acts they were responsible for the provision of houses for 

agricultural labourers. The administration of the sanitary services was re-organised and 

codified under the Public Health (Ireland) Acts of 1874 and 1878. Under these acts the 

municipal corporations and town commissioners were appointed sanitary authorities for the 

larger urban areas and Boards of Guardians became the sanitary authorities for the rural 

areas and smaller towns. 

2 

J. Muldoon & G. McSweeny, G., A Guide to Irish Local Government Comprising an Account of the Law Relating to the Local 

Government of Counties, Cities and Districts, with a Full Explanation of the Act of 1898, (Dublin, 1898) Eason & Son, Ltd. 



vi.


Under the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898 county councils and rural district councils 

were established. The poor law guardians were also the rural district Councillors; the same 

individuals but working in a separate capacity. From 1898 the Boards of Guardians were 

„restricted to poor relief and dispensary district work and were relieved of their power to strike 

a poor rate‟ 3 . The district councils were granted responsibility for the Unions‟ functions 

relating to housing and sanitary services. These functions were in turn transferred to county 

councils in 1925 following the dissolution of rural district councils under the Local 

Government Act of that year. 

Galway County Council discussed the amalgamation of the Unions in the county in 1903 and 

sporadically thereafter until 1919 when the scheme was discussed again in detail and also in 

October 1921. It was decided by the Council to replace the existing workhouses and poor 

law union system and to have one central hospital in Galway with ambulances, and have one 

central home for old and infirm persons in Loughrea 4 and outdoor relief was replaced by 

home assistance. 

The Unions‟ remaining functions were transferred to county councils, and administered 

through Boards of Health and Public Assistance. These Boards were established by County 

Councils in counties outside of Dublin under the Local Government Act, 1925 to operate as 

executive committees of the county council to perform health, sanitary and housing functions, 

assuming responsibility for administering measures against infectious diseases and 

tuberculosis, sanitary arrangements, labourers‟ cottages schemes, water and sewerage 

schemes and school medical services in small towns and villages. The Boards were 

abolished in 1942 and their functions taken over by the County Council. 

There were ten workhouses in county Galway. Those at Ballinasloe, Clifden, Galway, Gort, 

Loughrea, and Tuam were established in the 1840s. The Unions at Glenamaddy, 

Mountbellew, Oughterard 5 and Portumna were established in 1852. 

Galway County Council Archives holds some archives, mainly Board of Guardian minutes, 

from all Unions except Oughterard, but only one item for Portumna Union, and only two 

volumes of minutes of Glenamaddy. 

3 

P.J. Meghen, „The Development of Irish Local Government’, in Administration, Vol.8., No.4 (Winter 1960), p339 

4 

GCCA, Galway County Council Minutes, GC/1/3, p308 

5 Board of Public Health & Assistance minutes include, ’Submitted quotation from Messrs M. Duan & Co., South Prince’s Street, 

Dublin, for the purchase of the old papers in above workhouse. 

Order- Mr Sweeney, County Engineer, is authorised to have the papers sold’ (6 Sept 1941, GC5/20 p5). 



vii.


CLIFDEN POOR LAW UNION – BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES 

Much of the detail that follows is extracted from the minutes of the Guardians‟ meetings. The 

detail is not intended to be a full history of the Union, rather it is a simple and very condensed 

account of it during the period 1849 – 1921, the period for which Board of Guardian minutes 

survive. 

Where possible, so as to ease family research, any inmate‟s name found in the minutes has 

been included in the descriptive list. 

Clifden Poor Law Union was established in August 1840 and covered an area of 296 square 

miles. Its workhouse was located on a four-acre site at the south side of the Galway Road. 

The land for the workhouse was acquired by the Poor Law Commissioners (PLC) under a 

500 year lease dated 23 rd January 1842 from H D'Arcy. It cost £3,600 to build and £900 for 

fittings. Its original capacity was for 300 inmates 6 . Although the workhouse was ready for 

admission in 1845 it did not receive its first inmates until March 1847. 

The surviving minutes, which commence in 1849, show that the highest number of inmates in 

the workhouse was during the period January to March 1850 when there were just less than 

2,000 in the house. By 1858 the number had dropped to around 100, and generally 

fluctuated, depending on periods of distress, between 80 and 150 from then on. The official 

capacity of the workhouse in 1897 was 822, though at that time there were only about 130 

inmates in the workhouse. 

Image of the Clifden Workhouse which appeared in the Illustrated London News in 1850 

6 

J. O‟Connor, The Workhouses of Ireland: The Fate of Ireland’s Poor, (Dublin 1995) Anvil Books 



viii.


The Union‟s operation was initially overseen by an elected Board of Guardians, initially 12 in 

number, representing the electoral divisions of Ballindoon, Clifden, Renvyle and Roundstone. 

The Board also included 4 ex officio Guardians, making a total of 16. The Guardians met 

each week on Wednesday at noon 7 . 

The Union was re-organised in about 1851 at which time the following electoral divisions 

came under its jurisdiction, Clifden, Derrylea, Inishbofin, Ballinakill, Cleggan, Cushkillery, 

Rinvyle, Bunowen, Derrycunlagh, Dunloughan, Errislannon, Bencorr, Illion, Moynes, 

Roundstone, Knockbog, Owengowla, Silerna, and Skannive. The number of guardians was 

also increased to approximately 21. 

Dr Suffield, the workhouse doctor between 1848 and 1868, wrote that upon taking up his post 

he had „…the workhouse, a fever and cholera hospital in Clifden, five auxiliary 8 workhouses 

in different localities’ under his care (GPL3/37, f66). 

The Clifden Board of Guardians generally met weekly in the Boardroom of the workhouse, 

though during the early 1870s it only met about twice a month. Extensive minutes were kept 

of their meetings together with detailed statistical information pertaining to the administration 

of the Union. 

When the surviving minutes commence in May 1849 the PLC was managing the workhouse. 

Elections for new Guardians were held in November; a list of the Guardians is recorded in 

the minutes (GPL3/10, p166). At that point there were 1,482 inmates in the workhouse, 

including at the ancillary accommodation in Roundstone and Bunowen, and another 2,345 

receiving outdoor relief. 

The numbers remained high during the early 1850s but dropped significantly by the mid-to-late 

1850s, at which time there were in the region of 120 inmates in the House, and often fewer 

than 100. From around this time elections of new members and Chairmen generally took 

place annually in April. 

In December 1849 following appeals from a Relieving Officer for further assistance the Board 

resolved that in order to give as ‘…much relief as possible with any funds which may be 

available‟ that it would be advantageous to all concerned if the Relieving Officers would 

„administer relief in money in preference to food’ (GPL3/10/238). At the same time a Medical 

Officer advised that ‘disease and mortality are greatly on the increase in consequence of want 

of proper clothing, and an insufficient supply of milk. The Board have to regret that the wants 

complained of in reference to the clothing were occasioned by a scarcity of funds, and the 

7 

The Workhouse (http://www.workhouses.org.uk) (June 2004) 

8 

One at Kylemore, Bunowen and Roundstone 



ix.


clothing in the Workhouse being in the hands of the Sherriff‟ (GPL3/10, p239). Nine people 

had died in the workhouse that week. 

The Clifden Board of Guardians was constantly in financial difficulty, finding it difficult to collect 

rates and at the same time provide relief, particularly in times of distress. Even after the Great 

Famine, the Union suffered from periods of immense distress, such as in 1867, the late 1870s, 

the early 1880s, in 1890 and 1894, and also between 1904 and 1905. 

In 1867, for example, the Board drew the Commissioners‟ attention to the „…present distress 

now prevailing in this Union almost bordering on famine…’ (GPL3/35, f236). Some years later, 

in October 1896, the Board of the ‘...lamentable condition of the country owing to the great 

losses sustained by the tenant farmers by reason of the almost total destruction of their crops 

by recent heavy rains and unusually inclement season…Clifden Union one of the poorest and 

most heavily taxed unions in Ireland…‟(GPL3/81, p47). The Board outlined to the Local 

Government Board (LGB) that it was one of the poorest Unions in the county and was 

constantly in a grim condition, with wretched poverty throughout the district. 

In January 1850 the Board had to withdraw outdoor relief ‘…for want of funds‟ but ordered that 

their Relieving Officers be supplied with a small portion of meal ‘...to enable them to give relief 

to the most urgent cases in order to save life…’ (GPL3/10, p272). Furthermore the Board 

pointed out to the PLC that even if all the outstanding rates were collected their position would 

‘....be very little bettered. That every step, the Law admits of being taken for the recovery of 

those debts has already been taken, and that this Board wash their hands of all the 

consequences of death and the seizure and sale of the property belonging to this Union 

arising from the present want and future deficiency of funds’ (GPL3/10, p 278). The PLC 

provided an initial sum of £70, and later a second sum of £200 to assist with „...meeting the 

necessities of the Union’ and thus allowing supplies to be obtained for outdoor relief (GPL3/10 

p280). Further monies were submitted in the following weeks, some obtained by the sale of 

goods at auction at the workhouse. 

The Board resolved in February 1850 to take steps to acquire further indoor accommodation in 

order that outdoor relief could cease (GPL3/10, p318). At that time 3,767 persons were in 

receipt of outdoor relief. 

In May 1867 the Board drew the Commissioners‟ attention to the „…present distress now 

prevailing in this Union almost bordering on famine with a view that the Government would 

take some steps to alleviate it as the Guardians feel they will not be able to cope with the 

distress now existing‟ (GPL3/35, f236). At that time there were 158 inmates in the workhouse, 

with one death, and 18 cases receiving outdoor relief. By 15 th May the number in the 

workhouse increased to 182. They further wrote that „…this district is in a state of the utmost 



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distress. That the potato on which the population does chiefly subsist is entirely or nearly 

consumed and that the next means of subsistence, namely Indian meal, is at a price that 

people cannot buy it….and that we humbly pray that the Government will take the distressed 

state of this district into consideration and try to provide yellow meal or biscuit at such a 

reduced price as the people can buy it at…the paupers in the House are nearly double the 

usual number but we beg to assure the Government that both rich and poor, landlord and 

tenant with very few exceptions are literally unable to meet the rate payment’ (GPL3.35, f245). 

Following a crop failure in 1879 the Board campaigned in 1880 for public works to help 

alleviate distress and in particular championed the case for the railway between Galway and 

Clifden (see for instance GPL3/52, ff5-6 and GPL3/66, p450). Also due to the prevailing 

conditions at that time the Local Government Board (LGB) authorised „…administering relief 

out of the workhouse in food and fuel to poor persons other than those described in Sec 1, 10 

Vic cap 31 for a period of the calendar month’ (GPL3/52, f10). 

The Guardians continued to campaign for public works, in particular the railway, in subsequent 

years. Such as in July 1883 advising the „…great social and material advantage which would 

be conferred on a very large area of county (about 50 square miles) if he (the Lord Lieutenant) 

were to assist the undertaking of a Railway from Galway to Clifden’ (GPL3/57, f64). 

The number receiving outdoor relief in April 1880 was 500, with 152 inmates in the workhouse. 

By 29 th May 1880 the number receiving outdoor relief had increased to 829. In June 1880 the 

LGB approved the „…continuous of outdoor relief under the Relief of Distress Ireland Act 1880 

to 1 st July 1880’ (GPL3/52, f165). The Board then directed the Relieving Officers that „…every 

able-bodied male person relieved under the authority of the Order are to be set to perform a 

task of work during eight hours at least of every day for which he received relief. The Board 

consider the best and only way to fill employment is by stone breaking in their respective 

districts and that they be allowed at the rate of 1/6 [1s. 6d] in kind per cubic yard’ (GPL3/52, 

f165). By 26 th June 1880 the number receiving outdoor relief was 1,022, with 135 in the 

workhouse. 

Outdoor relief was further extended to 31 st July 1880. By early August the number in receipt of 

outdoor relief had dropped to 383. However, outdoor relief was extended again in mid 

February 1881 until the end of the month, though the Guardians at that time considered that 

„…a renewal of the Order is not required at present as ample employment can be obtained 

during the progress of the Spring work’ (GPL3/53, f149). 

In November 1882 the Board again called upon the Government to provide public works, 

stating „That taking into consideration the almost complete failure of the crops in this part of 

Connemara and seeing also that the fishing during the present year owing to the 



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unfavourableness of the weather and scarcity of fish half the number of families in some 

districts of this Union shall be in complete destitution before the early spring. We the Clifden 

Board of Guardians call upon the Government to give timely relief in the shape of Public Work 

and thus prevent a famine which shall otherwise certainly come with all its miseries amongst 

us’ (GPL3/56, p149). 

In January 1883 the Board received a letter from the Board of Works‟ Solicitor advising that 

the Board‟s cheque of £53.5.4 had been dishonoured and the Clerk of the Union advised the 

Board that „…there were no funds to meet this or any other cheque’. The Board resolved to 

„…undertake to pay the Treasurer moderate interest of £500 for three months to meet the 

current expenses of the Union…‟ (GPL3/56, p249). At its subsequent meeting it „...earnestly 

and respectfully’ begged the Government to commence public works „at once’ (GP3/56, p251). 

At its meeting on 4 th April 1883 the LGB Inspector, Mr Robinson, advised the Board that it was 

£2,200 in debt and „…as the Board of Works in pursuance of the provisions of the Seed 

Supply Act were impounding the money lodged by the collectors, the Guardians were unable 

owing to the backward state of the collection to comply with provisions of Co Vic c31 and to 

put money in the Relieving Officers hands to administer Relief and that the Clerk of the Union 

had advanced over £50 for the payment of milk etc.’ Robinson recommended that the Board 

take action against defaulters (GPL3/56, pp369-370). The financial situation was again 

discussed at the subsequent meeting when the Board resolved to ‘…obtain a loan of £1,000 

for some months on easy terms and the Board request the LGB to use their influence and 

cooperation with the Board of Works to recommend the loan’ (GPL3/56, p389). A loan of 

£500 was permitted by the LGB and the Commissioners of Public Works agreed that only half 

„…of the weekly lodgements being impounded for the Seed Rate etc’ (GPL3/56, p408). 

However, in May 1883 the Board resolved ‘…that as the Resolution said to be passed at the 

Board meeting on the 11 th April was neither proposed, seconded nor put from the Chair that it 

be expunged from the Minutes of said meeting and that we the Guardians of Clifden Union 

now bind ourselves not to borrow any money for which interest would have to be paid and 

further more we call upon the collectors to use more exertion in the collection of the Rates in 

their respective districts so that money may be forthcoming to meet outstanding debt’ (GP3/57, 

f4). 

In September 1883 the Board advised the LGB that the debt of the Union was ‘…upwards of 

£3,000 and no available funds and a balance due Treasurer of £1,500, that the Seed Rate 

nearly £4,000 is uncollected, and we believe uncollectable, owing to the large number of 

persons emigrated, evicted, dead and left their holdings and that we earnestly, and 

respectfully request the LGB to allocate a sufficient grant from the funds at their disposal to 



xii.


assist this insolvent Union, and further that if possible they would see their way to a reduction 

of the present rate’ (GPL3/57, f164). Following this appeal the LGB granted £900 for the 

distressed districts towards the reduction of the rate. The Guardians expressed their gratitude 

for the grant but asked the Board ‘…to take into consideration the improvished state of our 

Union and assist us with a further grant for the relief of the Union’ (GPL3/57, f194). Ongoing 

appeals were made for grants and financial assistance. Despite the Rate Collectors making 

progress with their collection the „…depressed and unsettled condition of the small farmer’ 

meant it was ‘...next to impossible to bring in the rate to the extent of clearing off the Balances 

due, and meeting the current requirements’ (GPL3/58, f75, March 1884). 

In July 1884 the liabilities of the Union were £2,800 (GPL3/58, f185), and the Board again 

called on the LGB to „…press on the Government the necessity of coming to our aid with a 

grant to enable us to tide over the current year...’ (GPL3/58, f195). 

In March 1886, during yet another period of great distress, the Board of Guardians urged the 

Local Government Board to establish public works immediately, stating, „To the poverty of the 

Union we need scarcely refer. The rates are already ruinously high and consequently people 

are unable to meet any further addition to them, and nothing but the immediate inauguration of 

works can save the people from starvation, and we earnestly and respectfully beg the LGB to 

recommend to her Majesty’s government the construction of a Light Railway from Galway to 

Clifden which would open up the country and give employment in this period of dire distress‟ 

(GPL3/61, p409). 

Following a subsequent appeal the LGB authorised outdoor relief, but the Board of Guardians 

advised that due to its „bankrupt‟ condition it was unable to provide such relief and urged that 

„…a good portion of the £40,000 granted would be put at once at our disposal to carry out the 

requirements of the LGB’ (GPL3,61, p469). 

The passing of the Poor Relief (Ireland) Act 1886 afforded some assistance, enabling relief 

works. The Board submitted a schedule of works proposed to be carried out in the Union 

under the Act. 

260 individuals were in receipt of outdoor relief by January 1887 (GPL3/63, p181). 

A review by the Local Government auditor, Colonel O‟Hara, of the Union‟s accounts in early 

1887 found that „The exceptional relief given under Relief of Distress Act 1886 in this Union 

appears to have been given not strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Act but to have 

been given as temporary relief by Relieving Officers and subsequently sanctioned by 

Guardians’. 

‘There can be no doubt there was great pressure both on Guardians and Relieving Officers, 

and much distress existing at the time. This will account for some irregularities and I do not 



xiii.


deem it necessary under the exceptional circumstances of the case to question the legality of 

the expenditure…‟ (GPL3/63, p189). 

In January 1889 the issue of the „…unfortunate state of indebtedness’ of the Union was again 

discussed, when the Board asked the Local Government Board to ‘…procure for us the power 

of borrowing a sufficient sum to be repaid with 3½ per cent spread over a number of years. 

We could then work our Union in a satisfactory manner. We feel that in bringing this matter 

under the notice of the LGB we are conveying to them the wishes of the Ratepayers of our 

Union’ (GPL3/66, p449). At the same time the Board again recommended the ‘…construction 

of a line of railway from Galway to Clifden‟ (GPL3/66, p450). 

Finally in May 1889 the Board was able to express its appreciation to the Chief Secretary 

‘…for the warm interest he takes in the improvement of our long neglected county evinced by 

his statement that he is about to carry out the recommendations of Sir John Alport’s Royal 

Commission to have the Railway constructed from Galway to Clifden 9 . We feel that on the 

carrying out of this measure the prosperity of our country depends, and we trust the Bill will 

meet with no obstructions…’ (GPL3/67, p208). 

On 3 December 1890 the Board resolved „We the Board of Guardians of the Clifden Union 

representing the inhabitants of Connemara at this our first meeting since the Galway Grand 

Juries gave their sanction to the construction of the Galway and Clifden Railway feel it our duty 

to tender our grateful thanks to Her Majesty’s Government for the munificent grant of £264,000 

for the construction of the line and especially to the Right Honourable Arthur J Balfour, Chief 

Secretary for Ireland, for his unwearied exertions in having the Railway Bill passed. We also 

tender our best thanks to the Grand Juries for the cordial manner in which they gave their 

sanction to the proposed measure. We also feel our best thanks are due to Sir Ralph Cusack, 

the Chairman of the M.G.W. Railway Company and his co-directors for the manner in which 

they have co-operated with the Government and the Grand Juries thereby securing to our 

county the inestimable benefit of internal communication’ (GPL3/69, p282b). 

It took several years to build the railway, and various delays were encountered with different 

contractors. The Board, in June 1892, urged the contractors to ‘press on the work’ of railway 

construction and noted that the „...works appear to be neglected this year as they were last 

year when they might be most satisfactorily proceeded with’ (GPL3/73, p211). 

In September 1892 the Board wrote to the Chief Secretary of Ireland regarding the debt 

incurred by the Union under the ‘Relief of Distress Act of 1896, when ¾ of the whole 

9 

The Light Railways (Ireland) Act was passed in 1889. Under the Act, the Midland Great Western Railway Company (MGWR) 

constructed rail links to Achill and Killala in County Mayo and to Clifden in County Galway. The line from Galway to Oughterard was 

opened on 1 January 1895 and the rest of the line came into operation in July. There were six stations between Clifden and Galway, 

each about 7 to 8 miles apart, Moycullen, Ross, Oughterard, Maam Cross, Recess, Ballynahinch. The total length of the line was 48 

miles, 550ft. 



xiv.


population of the Union were in absolute want. The Grant to the Union under the Act was 

entirely inadequate to meet the widespread distress existing and the poverty of the Union is so 

great that it is simply impossible to pay the large balance due...’ (GPL3/73, p492). 

In December 1893 the minutes record that the work on the railway was ‘virtually suspended,’ 

and had thus ‘...thrown out of employment the greater number of the people working thereon’ 

(GPL3/75, p250). 

However, the railway finally opened in January 1895, and operated until its closure in 1935 10 . 

Due to the distress in 1890-91 caused by yet another crop failure relief works were again 

introduced. In 1890 Stephen Joyce, the Relieving Officer (RO) for the Renvyle district, 

reported that many of the people in the district were in ‘…a most destitute condition and stand 

in immediate need of relief, many of them have not a potato for the last month and some, 

having found their crops not worth digging have decided to leave them in the ground. They 

have been refused credit, a fact I have learned not alone from the statement of the parties 

themselves, but from inquiry I made in the shops. Though distress is more intense and 

widespread in Renvyle Division than in any other, equally extensive portions of my District 

there are other isolated spots where a very unsatisfactory state of things prevails....’ 

(GPL3/69, p282d). The statement made by the RO was disputed as being „untrue‟ by the 

Board of Guardians. 

However, at its meeting of 4 th February 1891 the Board of Guardians (BG) expressed their 

„…alarm at the large increase in number of persons in receipt of outdoor relief in the Union 

and the still more increasing demand for it. Last week the number was 725, the amount £31, 

this week the number was 694 the amount £32…‟. The Board applied to the Government for 

assistance, advising that they could not afford to provide all the required relief. They advised 

they would ‘…be obliged in future to refuse to sanction such provisional relief unless the LGB 

come to the aid of the Guardians. This will involve the breaking up of the homes of many 

families and becoming paupers in the workhouse and consequently a burthen for ever on the 

Union. Like the Turbot Island families who abandoned their homes last week and came into 

the workhouse…’ (GPL3/70, pp32j-k). 

In April 1891 the Guardians advised the LGB that the Union was „indebted‟ in the sum of 

£4,500, primarily due to the grants issue for seed, instigated by the Seed Supply Act of 1880, 

10 

Finance Committee Minute , „Clifden Railway Line: Submitted letter dated 11 April from the Department of Industry & Commerce 

stating that train service will be discontinued as from the 29th April 1935' (GCCA, GC/3/6, 13 Apr 1935, p150). Also „Galway -Clifden 

Railway: Co. Cooke proposed & Co. Ashe seconded that the County Surveyor of the Western Division and the County Secretary be 

requested to accompany a deputation from the Galway Urban Council to the Gt. S. Rly Co. Dublin with a view to prevent the 

removal of the Railway Bridge over the Corrib and the removal of the line with particular reference to that part of the line between 

Galway and Menlo' (GCCA, Galway County Council, Financial Committee Minutes, GC/3/6, p195). 



xv.


and the difficulty in collecting the seed rate (GPL3/70, p291); a fact which had been 

highlighted on numerous occasions since 1880. 

Indeed from the beginning the Board had warned it was likely to encounter difficulties with the 

seed rate. When the LGB enabled Unions to take out loans on the security of the rates for the 

purchase of seed potatoes to be ‘….given out or distributed to the small farmers on credit. 

The Board are of opinion that in this Union such a scheme would be impracticable as the 

majority of the small farmers are already in debt far beyond their means to pay and could not 

be accepted as sufficient guarantee for the repayment thereof. The Board therefore think that 

considering the reduced circumstances of the small farmers and considering too that the 

Union is poor and already overtaxed and that this year’s expenditure will raise taxation, 

(despite the efforts of private charity) to an alarming extent it would be involving the Union in 

utter ruin under the circumstance to borrow money. The Board therefore think that the 

deficiencies in the seed supplies of the Union ought to be filled up by the presentment and 

funds for that purpose as well as for the giving of extraordinary outdoor relief and the 

institution of public works for the immediate employment of unskilled labour in distressed 

districts should be voted by Parliament’ (GPL3/52, ff25-28). 

In 1886 following an investigation into the Seed Rate accounts the Board urged the LGB to 

accept the investigating committee‟s recommendations into the matter and to „…strike off the 

arrear of Seed Rate appearing outstanding, and we would ask the LGB to take into 

consideration the fact that in consequence of the large sum of £1,900 taken from the funds we 

levied for the legitimate purposes of the Union, we are plunged deeply in debt, unable to pay 

our contractors and that if the authorities do not come to our relief either by repaying our 

Union the sum so deducted for Seed Rate, or procuring us a loan, this Union will be brought 

to the verge of bankruptcy as the people of the county are in such a distressed state. We will 

find it impossible to carry out our duty of giving adequate relief to the paupers’ (GPL3/61, 

p332). 

In late 1894 the BG warned the LGB of a poor potato crop and warned that „…many persons 

will have exhausted most of their store of potatoes before Xmas, that we believe a little 

assistance given now immediately while other provisions are cheap and the people can spare 

their seed will go further than twice as much later on when the seed is exhausted and that we 

therefore call upon the Government to open up Public works such as piers, roads, drains etc 

which all admit to be yet much needed in this Union’ (GPL3/77, p191). 

During this time the BG advised the LGB that due to severe weather conditions „...hookers 

between Galway and Clifden were unable’ to trade, and requested that the new railway be 

used to help get provisions to Clifden to help alleviate the distress: „The permanent rails being 



xvi.


now laid as far as Ballynahinch and if a few wagons of provisions were taken to this for each 

trade the poor people’s wants would be supplied for the present’ (GPL3/77, p244). As the 

Board campaigned for assistance, seed potatoes and relief works there were 108 inmates in 

the workhouse with 556 in receipt of outdoor relief (16 February 1895, GPL3/77, p547). 

In early 1895 a shipment of 152 tons of seed potato was delivered by steamer to Clifden 

(GPL3/77, p594(b)). Also around that time, in February 1895, the LGB‟s auditor, O‟Hara, 

declared that the rate collection for 1893/94 was „satisfactorily collected‟ (GPL3/77, p580). Yet 

the overall financial condition of the Union was poor and overtaxed due to „by periodical 

distress’ (GPL3/77, p633). 

In 1898 and 1899 the Guardians were pre-occupied by the relief works introduced to help 

alleviate distress caused by yet another poor harvest. The minutes include various details 

relating to the schemes, such as road works at Ballafada and a well opening at 

Claddaghduff, together with names of supervisors, gangers, timekeepers and, in many cases 

the names of individuals 11 taken on to work on the systems in the various electoral divisions, 

and payment details. In June 1898 the LGB wrote advising that it had examined „....the lists 

of payments made for the two weeks ended the 28 th ultimo to the labourers, timekeepers, 

supervisors and paymasters employed on the Relief works amounting to £224.13.6. 

Directions for the payment of a sum of £171.1.1 has been given. This includes the 

Government proportion of the wages amounting to £4.1.11 in respect of which recoupment 

had been deferred…’ (GPL3/84, p34). 

During the same period the Board was also involved in providing „spraying machines‟ and 

material to small farmers to help ensure better crops. For instance, „Having read further 

letters from Messrs Harrington Bros., Cork, [and] L.W. Kenzie, Dublin asking for immediate 

settlement of their accounts amounting to £298.10.0., and being informed by the Clerk that 

only about 5 tons of the 15 tons of material supplied by Messrs Harrington would be required 

for this year’s spraying…’ (GPL3/84, p225). 

In December 1898 the BG expressed its appreciation to the Congested Districts Board 

(CDB) for their „noble work‟ and the „...great assistance afforded the poor of this District by 

their exertions on the development of the Fishing Industry last year along the Connemara 

coast. The visible signs of this industry is to be observed by Clifden Quay where a fleet of 

fishing boats lie at anchor awaiting the fine weather before proceeding on their harvest of 

industry….’. The Board also appealed to the government to assist the CDB with the erection 

of a pier at Doughbeg or with an extension of the old pier at Clifden Quay (GPL3/84, p581). 

11 See, for instance, GPL3/84, p63 



xvii.


The distress of 1904-05, again due to a poor harvest, resulted in the establishment of further 

relief schemes. Parish Committees were formed to consider what schemes could be 

introduced (GPL3/91, p5), such as in the Bunowen ED a small pier at Aillebrack and in the 

Clifden ED walls at Clifden old graveyard and various roads, together with the appointment of 

named gangers for each area (GPL3/91, pp18-26). The LGB advised the Guardians that 

they could open the relief works from 27 th February 1905, and that they could administer 

outdoor relief ‘...in money to destitute persons’ from that date too (GPL3/91, p37). 

Medical Charities 

The issue of lack of funds and the PLC‟s desire for the Union to increase rates to fund the 

requirements of the Medical Charities Act was ongoing during 1852. The Board wanted total 

revision of the valuation, so made a case to the Commissioners for one to be carried out for 

the whole Union, stating for example „… the present valuation has been successfully 

appealed against in several instances and quashed, and the Board are aware of omissions 

and errors existing sufficient to support many more appeals against any future rate struck on 

the present valuation’ (GPL3/14, p12, 28 April 1852,). Also that the „…Board are of opinion 

that in consequence of decrease of the population and cultivation the selling value of 

seaweed for manure has fallen from 5/ to 2/6 per boat, that a considerable additional value 

was placed on some of the coastal district of this Union in consequence of the great value of 

such weed as an article of trade with Galway and other places in its neighbourhood, and that 

the fall in value from this cause has not been sufficiently considered in the present 

valuation…’ (GPL3/14, 28 April 1852, p13). 

Throughout 1855-1856 the Board was in ongoing communication with the PLC 

Commissioners regarding the establishment of a Medical Dispensary in Renvyle. 

In late 1859 there was discussion about the establishment of a Medical Dispensary in Carna, 

though at that time some of the Board members and the Roundstone Dispensary Committee 

were of opinion that ‘…a dispensary at Carna is quite unnecessary’ (GP3/24, 5 October 

1859, p11). In 1873 the location of the Carna dispensary was again discussed and after 

some discussion and despite objections on behalf of the people of the district the dispensary 

was changed from Carna to Killkerrin (GPL3/45, pp169-172, 3 Nov 1873, and pp188-189). 

Yet a little while later, at their meeting of 28 th January 1874 the Board accepted a 

‘...substantial slated house at Carna at £10 a year for a Dispensary’ from Mr Leonard 

(GPL3/45, p249). 

In 1861 there was discussion about the provision of medical care on the islands of Inishbofin 

and Inishark, and the proposal to have the Renvyle Dispensary rather than the Clifden 

dispensary district responsible for the islands (GPL3/26, ff194-195, ff244-245). In April 1862 



xviii.


the PLC agreed to the temporary appointment of a medical officer for Inishbofin. 

December of 1862 the issue was still ongoing with the BG advising the PLC that „We 

consider no properly qualified medical officer could be obtained to reside in the island of 

Inishbofin for a lesser salary than £70 a year. There will be no emolument public or private 

beyond the mere salary. We propose to fix the salary at £70 and trust this arrangement will 

meet with the Commissioners’ sanction, with regard to the reduction of £20 a year on the 

salary of the present Medical Officer of the Clifden Dispensary District, we are of opinion it 

would not be a judicious step and that the present salary of £100 per annum is only 

reasonable remuneration for the arduous duties he has to perform even relieved of the 

attendance on the island of Bofin, he still has a most extensive district and the largest 

population of the three dispensary districts in this Union which we look on as a sure test of 

the work to be performed.…’ (GPL3/28, p349). 

By the end of 1863 the issue was again discussed, this time with the view that the Medical 

Office of Bofin should be abolished and amalgamated with the Renvyle Dispensary District 

(GPL3/30, f47). This was due to the „...very extensive taxation caused on a great degree by 

the vast expenses in this Union under the Medical Charities Act, and the very serious 

suffering and complaints made by the ratepayers and public generally of the enormous 

amount of our rate which together with other causes over which we have no control are 

forcing the ratepayers of the country generally, thus leaving the Union with a very diminished 

population and of course thereby rendering it less able to meet those very large and 

excessive demands on its means, and further it is our opinion that such an arrangement 

would be for the decided advantage of the Union as we would thereby accomplish a saving 

of £70 per annum to the ratepayers and the salary of £90 a year at present paid to the 

Medical Officer of Renvyle District would be most ample pay for the amalgamated districts 

with the fees under the new Births and Deaths Registration Bill’ (GPL3/30, ff47-48, see also 

f57 & f116). The PLC were not in favour of the proposed amalgamation, and the Board in 

trying to convince them of its necessity advised „...the fearful state of this Union, the high 

rate, the poverty of the ratepayers, the exodus from the Union such as never has been 

witnessed and which must terminate in a general bankruptcy of the Union if not immediately 

met…‟ (GPL3/30, f145). 

In May 1864 the salary of the Bofin dispensary doctor was discussed, when it was agreed to 

place ‘Bofin under the Renvyle Medical Officer and that his salary be increased by £20 a 

year’ (PLG3/31, p45). 

In July 1866 the issue was raised yet again, this time the Board advised the PLC that they 

considered ‘…it a grievance to be obliged to pay a Doctor from the Island of Bofin which is no 

part of the county of Galway, but a part of the county of Mayo and in the Petty Sessions 



xix. 

By


District of Louisburg in the county of Mayo and it is further resolved that the transfer of the 

Island of Bofin to the Clifden District was a great injustice for the following reasons viz: 

At the time of transfer to the Clifden Union the island of Bofin had no medical staff. Since the 

transfer a medical officer and establishment has to be maintained by the Clifden Dispensary 

District. 

Resolved: That the Clifden Board of Guardians use every legitimate means in their power to 

remove so objectionable a burden from the ratepayers of Clifden’ (GPL3/34, f195, see also 

f217). The PLC advised the Board the following month that Inishbofin being part of the 

Clifden Union must be included in whatever division may be adopted‟ (GPL3/34, f235). 

In April 1867 there was a proposal that Inishbofin should be a self paying dispensary district 

and the Board continued to outline its grievance at the Clifden dispensary district having to 

support Bofin which was in county Mayo. 

In 1868 the Roundstone Dispensary District was split in two, (GPL3/37, f235 & f245) and a 

second dispensary doctor was appointed. 

In the mid 1890s the issue of adequate dispensary provision on Inishbofin was discussed, as 

the existing accommodation had „….repeatedly been pronounced unfit by members of the 

Medical Committee’ (GPL3/80, p406 b). 

Workhouse Staff 

In February 1856 (GPL3/21, 13 February p14) the Poor Law Union Commissioners agreed 

with the BG to amalgamate the office of the Clerk and the Master. However, in June 1858 

Mr John Burke was appointed as Clerk of the Union. But an amendment to the resolution 

stated that the Board ‘…are of opinion that the amalgamation of the Clerk and Master in one 

office was [exercised] hitherto very satisfactorily and that a mere temporary absence is not a 

sufficient argument for making a new permanent appointment’. In August 1858 a Notice of 

Motion was received „In compliance with Commissioners’ letter No. 18102 we give notice that 

on this day fortnight we will propose that the two offices of Master and Clerk to this Union be 

from thenceforth separated and held by two distinct persons’ (GPL3/23, 18 th August 1858, 

p8). The issue was discussed further at the Board‟s subsequent meeting of 1 st September 

1858. Mathias Mallen, who had been acting Master for the previous nine months, was 

appointed Master on 15 th September at a salary of £25 a year and rations. The posts of 

Matron and Schoolmistress were also amalgamated for a time in 1860. 

In 1874, following the resignation of the Master, Patrick Davern, after his having left his post 

and returning drunk one evening, it took the Board many months to agree on a replacement 

candidate. When they finally agreed on a candidate, John Coney, the LGB initially declined 



xx.


to sanction the appointment, based possibly on his young age (see for instance GPL3/36, 

p128). However, by 2 nd December 1874 a new master, Coney, was appointed. 

Later again, throughout 1895 and 1896, much of the Board‟s attention was taken up with the 

election of a new Master for the workhouse, following the death of Patrick Higgins. The 

Board appointed Mr P. Cloonan, but his election was disputed, and was further complicated 

when a query regarding his age arose. The age requirement was that candidates be 

between 30 and 50 years of age. Cloonan was apparently 50, yet after several elections he 

was accepted as Master, but only remained in the position a short time, as he resigned in 

April 1897. 

In 1903 the Board abolished the position of School Mistress, arranging instead for any 

children remaining in the Workhouse to be boarded out or transferred to other institutions, 

such as Letterfrack Industrial School (GPL3/89, p143 & p317). 

In 1904 an outbreak of typhus resulted in the death of Dr Coney, MO for the Roundstone 

district (3 Feb 1904, GPL3/89). 

Religion 

In the 1850s and 1860s there were sporadic references to the religion of the inmates and in 

some instances complaints from the Catholic or Protestant Chaplains regarding the religious 

denomination under which some inmates might have been registered. In September 1865 

there was discussion about the registered religion of one boy, Pat Conneely, aged 8, the 

‘…illegitimate child of Kate Davin’ who was born in the workhouse and baptized a Roman 

Catholic and so ‘…he continued to be registered from time to time until the death of his 

mother. His religious denomination was changed by the Master owing to his being brought to 

the workhouse by one of the agents of the Irish Church Missions 12 , whose school he had 

been attending for some weeks’ (GPL3/33, f145). 

In April 1867 the Protestant Chaplin, Charles Campbell, prompted by an instance of 

„....tampering with Protestants committed to your Guardianship’, issued a long letter of 

12 The Society for the Irish Church Missions (ICM) (1849-69) was founded in March 1849, largely through the work of an English 

clergyman, the Reverend Alexander Dallas, (1791-1869) Vicar of the parish of Wonston, Hampshire. The particular focus of his 

concern was the Roman Catholic people of Ireland, as he became increasingly convinced of the need to bring the Gospel to Irish 

Roman Catholics. With the support of an evangelical landlord and member of the Board of Guardians, Hyacinth D‟Arcy of Clifden, 

Co. Galway, missionary schools began to spread in the west of Ireland. One controversial aspect of ICM‟s Gospel activity was its 

timing: ICM‟s earliest missionary work coincided with the Great Famine . The charge of „souperism‟ – offering soup to starving 

peasants in exchange for conversion – was strenuously refuted by ICM. 

In Connemara, there were forty-six centres of activity by 1860 and mission stations were strategically placed throughout the 

Galway area. Much of the success of the work was due to the tireless work of Hyacinth D‟Arcy and the support of the Bishop of 

Tuam. However, the large numbers of initial converts began to slow down by the time of the census of 1861. The explanation of 

ICM to their critics was that this was due to the large scale emigration that affected the west of Ireland, the young people who left 

for employment in England and in the British armed forces, and the increasing bitter and violent opposition that many converts 

faced from their families, which often forced them to leave their own communities. Even so, in one area of Connemara, where in 

1834 the registered number of Protestants didn‟t even reach 100, the census of 1861 showed that about 2,000 people voluntarily 

registered themselves as Protestants. 



xxi.


complaint asking „…if it is fair to the Protestant ratepayers who entrust you with the 

Guardianship of their poorer co-religionist, that a little boy so firmly opposed to what they 

believe to be the destroying errors of the Church of Rome in Ireland should have been 

publicly received into that church while under your care. 

He constantly complaining of ill treatment from the other boys and feared to keep the Bible 

you provided for his use; to escape this I believe he has been induced to ask for the change 

which I humbly submit you could not legally allow. 

Much better would it be to protect the Protestant inmates from insult and from being 

tampered with….’ (GPL3/35, ff225-226, see also ff236-236). 

Water, Drainage and Sewers 

From the mid 1870s the Board issued progressively more resolutions relating to the provision 

of water, drainage and sewers. In particular the provision of a waterworks scheme for the 

town of Clifden pre-occupied the Board for nearly twenty years, with delay after delay 

encountered. 

In 1876 for instance a Notice of Motion proposed „…that Mr Humpreys, County Surveyor, be 

requested to make a survey with plan, specification and estimate for supplying the Town of 

Clifden with pure water from a level sufficient to command with sufficient pressure the 

highest portions of the Town and which survey, plan, specification and estimate shall include 

suitable cast iron main supply pipe for the principle main streets and four [piece] fountains 

for the poor residents and that Mr Humpreys to get a fee of ten guineas for same’ (GPL3/48, 

ff236). 

Due to a missing volume there is a gap in the minutes between January 1877 and May 1878. 

However, the issue is again mentioned in the minutes in June 1878, with the Clerk advising 

the Guardians that „…it appears that the Clifden people are not at present inclined to charge 

themselves with this amount’ (GPL3/50, p28). However, by December 1879 there must have 

been a change of mind as the Board received a memorial from the inhabitants of Clifden 

„…relative to a supply of pure water for the Town’. The Board requested the LGB to approve 

of the ‘…carrying out of the said works under the Sanitary Acts and enable the Board of 

Guardians to avail themselves of the facilities now offered by the Board of Works for that 

purpose (The area to be Clifden Electoral Division)‟ (GPL3/51, pp389-390). The Board 

proposed to raise a loan of £1,000 for the provision of a water supply to Clifden town. By 

April 1880 the works had not commenced, when the Guardians advised the LGB that the 

‘...plans have been returned to the Engineer for revision and the Clerk has been instructed to 

request he will return them as soon as possible so that advertisements may be made for 



xxii.


contracts’ (GPL3/52, f115). The amended plans and estimate were received by the 

Guardians the following week and forwarded to the LGB for approval. 

In July 1880 the Board accepted the tender of Joseph Gorham to „…execute and furnish the 

waterworks for Clifden Town for the sum of nine hundred and forty four pounds ten shillings 

and seven pence £944.10.7’ (GPL3/52, f225). However, Gorham subsequently withdrew his 

tender and the contract was re-advertised. In August the tender of O‟Neill and Kavanagh for 

£1,220 was accepted (GPL3/53, f5). 

Further delays ensued as the Board had difficulty raising funds for the required works. For 

instance in September 1880 it applied for a loan of £1,500 for the waterworks, and again in 

February 1881 it requested the Board of Works for a loan of £1,500 for the Clifden Water 

Works for a term of 50 years under the Public Health Act (GPL3/53, f157, see also f173). 

However, the works had still not commenced by 1891, when in February of that year Dr 

Gorham, Medical Officer of Health, reported on the defective water supply in Clifden. He 

advised that there are „…no public wells in the town. The principal supply of water is taken 

from the Owen-Glen River. The workhouse, as you are aware, is standing on its immediate 

banks about 400 yrds above the Town. The workhouse sewerage must necessarily empty its 

impurities into the river. 

The Industrial and Convent Schools have their drainage leading directly into the river 

immediately above the town. Wells from which the people get their water supply are I 

understand, private property and the proprietor can at any moment prohibit the public from 

using these wells. 

I have frequently called the attention of the Board of Guardians to the want of pure water 

which is much required in Clifden’ (GPL3/70, p78). In July 1891 a Notice of Motion was 

issued which had the Board agreeing to have the proposed water works constructed as the 

Government agreed to „lend the money for the purpose to be repaid in 50 years at 4 per 

cent…’ (GPL3/70, p456). 

In May 1892 James Perry, the County Surveyor, forward to the Board a ‘….published map, 

plan, section of pipelines, specification & estimate in connection with the proposed water 

work for the Town of Clifden and stating that he would be in Clifden on Wednesday and 

would be glad to afford any information they might require…’ (GPL3/73, p136). 

In March 1893 the Board requested that the loan for the construction of the Clifden 

Waterworks be increased from £1,316 to £1,600 (GPL3/74, p57). 

Further delays were encountered but in late October 1893 the Board advised the Local 

Government Board that all the ‘…preliminaries are now being complied with. Mr Eyre having 



xxiii.


given his claim to the water right etc gratuitously (as entered on the minutes of the Guardians 

of the 6 July 1892) with the view of having the works at once commenced, that they will give 

their sanction to the loan as matter is pressing & of vital importance’ (GPL3/75, p137). Yet in 

early March 1894 delays still ensued, primarily due to difficulties in finalising the conveyance 

of land (GPL3/75, p497). 

In late June 1894 the Board advised the LGB that „legal difficulties‟ were the reason for the 

continued delay in enabling them to acquire the loan for the waterworks, and asked the 

Board to assist them „…by overlooking the legal technical delay. All owners and occupiers 

being willing to give all rights necessary and thus enable us to go on with the works, and let 

the legal matter be subsequently arranged. The delay is most dangerous to the health of the 

inhabitants’ (GPL3/76, p359-60). However, the LGB advised the Guardians that they had no 

power ‘...to dispense with proof of full title to the lands required for the proposed waterworks 

at Clifden’ (GPL3/76, p411). Later at the end of July they reiterated that „...until the 

conveyance is executed no loan would be issued even if recommended’ (GPL3/76, p489). 

Finally in early November 1894 the various legal difficulties had been overcome and the 

Board was able to pursue the required loan (GPL3/77, p199). The LGB was prepared to 

recommend a loan of £1,600 (GPL3/77, p281). However, the Office of Public Works (OPW) 

refused ‘...owing to the existing outstanding arrears in the repay of previous loans’ to extend 

a loan (GPL3/77, p359). The Union had an outstanding debt of £500 with the OPW under a 

Seed Rate loan of 1880. The Board appealed the decision and stressed the necessity of 

providing clean water to the town. 

In late March 1895 the LGB advised the Guardian that the Lord Commissioners of Her 

Majesty‟s Treasury ‘...are willing to entertain a proposal for a loan of £1,100 for the 

construction of the waterworks at Clifden if submitted by the Guardians on the usual form…’, 

and with regard to the balance of £500 ‘...which is estimated will be spent on the unskilled 

labour in connection with the works the Irish Government will be prepared to supplement the 

loan by a grant of this amount out of sums provided by Parliament for the relief of distress 

when the necessary conditions of the loan have been complied with, etc’ (GPL3/78, p9). By 

May the Deed of Mortgage had been executed, whereupon the Clifden BG advised the PLC 

that it did not require the whole £1,100 in one lump sum, but would rather receive it by 

‘...instalments as occasion may require’ (GPL3/78, p185). 

At the meeting of 5 th August 1896 the salary agreed for the waterworks caretaker, Martin 

Greaney, was £3.15.0 for a six month period up to 29thJuly 1896 (GPL3/80, p391). At that 

time the Guardians struck the contract (water rate) with, for instance, John W King, Publican 

to pay £0.10.0 a year, William Nee, Victualler to pay £0.10.0, Mullarkey‟s Hotel £0.10.0, and 



xxiv.


Mrs Wards Bakery to pay the same amount. Several others, such as K Lydon and J. D‟Arcy 

were to pay £1.0.0. In January 1897 Greaney‟s salary was increased from £7.10.0 to £10 per 

annum‟ GPL3/81, p247). 

At the turn of the 19 th century the need for a proper sewerage scheme also occupied the 

Board. For example, in late November 1893 the Guardians received a letter from James 

Perry, County Surveyor, relating to the sewerage in the town of Clifden and approving of the 

work designed and the estimate, but suggesting that well-glazed pipes 12” in diameter 

should be used instead of concrete (GPL3/75, p237). 

In February 1895 the Board received a report from its Medical Officer, Dr Gorham regarding 

the sewers in Clifden, advising that they are in a „…shockingly unsanitary state and highly 

dangerous to the public health. I have on very many occasions brought this state of affairs 

under your notice with the result that 13 months ago it was ordered that contracts be invited 

to repair them. Nothing has since been done’ (GPL3/77, p541). 

In September 1897 it was recommended that the Board ‘...make perfect the sewer from 

about Mr Kneafsey’s house, Main Street, along by the Hotel to the bed of the River at 

Pouladullagh by laying the proper sized pipe’. It was estimated that the work would cost 

£75 13 . 

In December 1897 the BG appealed to the Congested Districts Board (CDB) for aid for the 

construction of a ‘…well devised scheme of main drainage for the town of Clifden’. Mr Perry 

estimated the cost of the scheme to be £1,800, „…an amount which would be absolutely 

impossible to provide from our local rates based on the Valuation of the Clifden Electoral 

Division (£3,198)…’ (GPL3/83, p12). The CDB advised that they felt a ‘…difficulty in 

employing their funds for purposes of this nature’. The Guardians responded by asking them 

to re-consider and pointing out the importance of Clifden as a centre of tourism, „Since the 

opening of the Galway and Clifden Railway a very large sum has been expended by private 

individuals in improving and enlarging the existing hotel accommodation and the Guardians, 

the Sanitary Authority, feel keenly their inability owing to the present excessive taxation to 

undertake the necessary main drainage in order to complete the work begun by private 

enterprise, and thus make Clifden in every respect a comfortable and healthy place of resort 

for the tourists…’ (GPL3/83, pp191-2). 

In March 1899 Perry was paid £57.10.0 for preparing maps, plans and specifications for „a 

general scheme of sewerage for Clifden...’, and for supervising a portion of the scheme‟ 

(GPL3/85, p220). 

13 27 Sept 1897, GPL3/82, p463 



xxv.


Apart from the town of Clifden, other areas in the district received some improved water 

facilities. For instance, in June 1880 the Board ordered the expenditure of £100 for the 

sinking of a well or „…running of pipes for the conveyance of water in Roundstone from Mr 

Boughton’s well of the neighbourhood. 

Area of charge Roundstone Electoral Division’ 

(GPL3/52, f189). Tenders for sinking the pump were advertised for in August 1880. 

Also in August 1898 J J MacDonnell, Medical Officer of Health, advised the BG that there 

was an inadequate supply of „drinkable water at Cleggan during the fishing season‟ and 

advised that it was „...absolutely necessary to either have wells sunk in the vicinity or water 

conveyed from a neighbouring lake by means of pipes’. The Board advised that due to lack 

of funds it was unable to provide such a supply, but if the CDB could „...supply funds 

necessary and also give a grant in aid of the much needed drainage works for the town of 

Clifden. The Guardians would be prepared afterwards to bear the cost of the necessary 

maintenance that the outlay would involve’ (GPL3/84, pp255-6). 

In its capacity as sanitary authority the BG was also responsible for the provision and 

maintenance of burial grounds. For instance, in July 1896 the Board accepted the tender of 

George Brennan to carry out repairs and prepare an extension to the Ardbear cemetery. 14 

Amalgamation and Closure 

Following the enactment of the Local Government (Ireland) Act of 1898 Galway County 

Council and Clifden Rural District Council were established. Many of the functions of the BG 

devolved to these Councils. For instance the Board was no longer responsible for rate 

collection. After the elections in March 1899, the new Board placed its first demand on the 

Galway County Council for the sum of £937.6.8 to cover the period 25 th March to 25 th July 

1899 (GPL3/85, p250). 

There was some discussion regarding the amalgamation of Unions in 1904. The BG issued 

its response to queries on the topic to the Poor Law Reform Commission in September 1904, 

advising that it was in favour of such a plan. It also was in agreement that if dissolved the 

workhouse could be taken over by the County Council, but the Board was against the 

workhouse ‘…being utilised as an Auxiliary Lunatic Asylum but in favour of it being used for 

the purpose of starting some home industry in the district which would give employment, 

relieve taxation and help to stay the tide of emigration’ (GPL3/90, p383). 

There was further correspondence, primarily with Galway County Council, on a proposed 

amalgamation in the early 1920s. The Board approved „...of the principal of amalgamation of 

14 16 Jul 1896, GPL3/80, p325 



xxvi.


Unions if, as a result of a public inquiry it is shown that economies can be effected in the 

ratepayers’ interest without undue injury to the sick and destitute poor. 

Clifden workhouse being 50 miles from Galway is also fully equipped and up to date, 

possessing an excellent sewerage system with the best water supply in the county, 

automatic flushing closets, bathing arrangements, steam cooking and washing, etc, roofs 

slated and set in mastic. We consider it should be retained. 

Galway, Loughrea, Tuam workhouses are within a radius of 20 miles of each other’ 

(GPL3/107, p341). 

Though there is little reference to the ongoing political disruption in Ireland at this time, or to 

the establishment of the first Dáil, the minutes do record that in May 1921 it unanimously 

agreed to sever connection with the English LGB (GPL3/107, p278). 

In December 1921 the Board received instruction from the Galway County‟s Hospital, 

Homes, & Home Assistance Committee advising that „....all workhouses and Union Hospitals 

must be cleared immediately to the County Home and Hospital. That the existing outdoor 

relief system is to be carried on by the district Council until 3 rd March (1922) and the services 

of the Relieving Officers retained ‘til that date etc’ (GPL3/107, p557). The proceedings for 

that meeting also included details of a letter from the same Committee stating that „....as 

soon as the Clifden Workhouse and Hospital are completely cleared of inmates and patients 

arrangements will be made to discharge the liability of the Guardians to 31 st December 1921 

but no further instalment will be issued until the buildings are vacated‟ (GPL3/107, p558). 

The last recorded number of inmates in the workhouse, for the week ending 19 th November 

1921, was 60. The minutes for the remaining Board‟s meetings deal with the closure of the 

workhouse, and the transfer of materials, such as bedding (GPL3/107, p559), and of the old 

and infirm inmates (GPL3/107, p560) to the Home in Loughrea. Also at this time the Master 

advised that the Irish Republican Army (IRA) „...took over possession of the workhouse on 

the 9 th instant (December) together with bedding, clothing, utensils and furniture, etc., and 

are still in possession‟ (GPL3/107, p559). The IRA asked the Board to grant the Master 

permission to „remain out of the workhouse at night as they required his apartments‟ 

(GPL3/107, p560). 

Under the amalgamation of Unions scheme, introduced by Galway County Council, 206 

officials employed in the Unions in the county were dispensed with. The Union Masters, 

Clerks, Matrons and other staff received pensions or gratuities 15 . 

15 

See the Connacht Tribune 17 th Dec 1921 for details of the Ballinasloe employees who received payments 



xxvii.


A year after the closure it is recorded in the Board of Health & Public Assistance: Hospital & 

Dispensary Committee minutes that Dr Casey reported ‘… that Clifden Workhouse Buildings 

are gradually disappearing. The Dispensary has been completely destroyed, and he 

removed to a private house whatever drugs etc, were left …‟ (GC6/1, 9 December, 1922, p7). 

Some years later, under a lease of 10 th August 1927, part of the lands, comprising of 4 acres, 

3 roods & 17 perches, were conveyed for 99 years to the Irish Sailors' & Solders' Land Trust 

(51 Upper Mount Street, Dublin 2) at a rent of £6 per annum. Six cottages were erected by 

the Trust for ex-soldiers and sailors. Former workhouse lands, still held by local authorities 

became vested in the Western Health Board on 1 st April 1971, pursuant to Section 38 of the 

Health Act, 1970. 



xxviii.


Arrangement 

The minutes are arranged chronologically, and the remaining material is also arranged 

thereafter in chronological order. 

The extracts from the various Minute books included hereunder are intended as a 

representation of the proceedings. The purpose of their inclusion is to give the reader an 

indication of the diversity of the Board of Guardians areas of concern and responsibility. Given 

the quantity and multiplicity of the Board‟s work it is not practical in this instance to include an 

extract highlighting every single district, item and aspect mentioned in the minutes. However, 

it is hoped that the extracts will clearly and fairly reflect the institution‟s work, activities, 

development, and influence in the district of Clifden during its existence throughout a long and 

important period in Irish history. 

Overall this collection illustrates various aspects of Union administration, and reveals to some 

extent how the authority cared for and provided assistance to the destitute poor in the district 

and in particular how it responded in times of crisis. It also shows the evolution of the Board‟s 

provision of health and related social services. The collection commences with records 

created when the authority and country were under British rule and concludes with records 

recording the authority‟s recognition of Dáil Éireann. 

The collection should be of interest to administrative, economic, political, and social historians. 

In particular, it should be a major source of information for local historians. 

The item reference number (GPL3/?) should be used in full when citing from the records in this 

collection. The most appropriate form of reference is Galway County Council Archives, 

Reference number (GPL3/?), and page number or date 

Place names are generally given as they appear in the records. 

Readers are also requested not to view as definitive the appended list of Board of Guardians 

or staff members. Lists of Guardians may be further researched in various contemporary 

directories, such as Thom‟s, Slater‟s or Pigot‟s, and in contemporary local newspapers. 



xxix.


Non-Disclosure Requirement 

As much of the information in this collection clearly identifies families and individuals 

researchers are required, in order to prevent possible distress or embarrassment to near 

descendants, to sign a non-disclosure form prior to consulting the records giving an 

undertaking not to disclose or cite specific names from these archives in research work. 

Archival History 

The collection has been in the custody of Galway County Libraries for several years. A 1928 

minute in the Board of Health & Public Assistance records „Clifden Books and Records – 

Secretary reported that since last meeting he visited Clifden with an ambulance and brought 

back to Galway some of the more recent books and records. The Boardroom and Clerk’s 

office in the Clifden Workhouse ware absolutely full of books, papers, etc., many of which are 

useless, and there is also some furniture in the place. The County Council have decided to 

retain the same for use in their own offices. It will take a lorry or two to remove the furniture 

and books, but where the latter are to be stored is a problem. 

Order: The Secretary, or a member of his staff, to visit Clifden as soon as convenient and 

arrange for the transfer of the furniture and goods to Galway, but any useless documents of 

unbound records which are no longer required to be destroyed‟ 16 (28 September, 1927, p10). 

A late minute, of 1929, records that the Assistant County Surveyor was asked to ‘…arrange 

to have all the books, etc., packed in boxes and removed (from the disused workhouse) to 

the old Galway Hospital’. 17 

The collection was microfilmed in 2012; volumes GPL3/14 to 57 by DPA, Dublin in early 

2012. The remainder, in late 2012 by Mallon Technology of Cookstown, Co. Tyrone. 

Volumes GPL3/10 and GPL3/58 onwards were first digitised, and then converted to 

microfilm. Mallon also digitised the microfilm produced by DPA. Therefore the collection is 

available in both a digitised and microfilm format. 

Patria McWalter 

Archivist, 2012 

16 County Galway Board of Health & Public Assistance, Minute Book, GC5/5 p10 

17 County Galway Board of Health & Public Assistance, Minute Book, GC5/8, p20 



xxx.


Allied Material 

Primary Sources 

Records held by Galway County Council Archives: 

Clifden Rural District Council, (G01/07) 

Galway County Council Minutes, (GC/1/) 

County Galway Board of Health and Public Assistance, (GC5/) 

Records held at the National Archives of Ireland: 

 

 

 

 

 

Relief Commission Papers (NAI RLFC) (A copy of certain papers (1845-‟47) pertaining to county 

Galway are available at Galway County Libraries, Island House) 

Chief Secretary‟s Office Registered Papers (NAI CSO) 

Transportation Registers (NAI GPO) 

Office of Public Works, OPW (Contains files relating to relief works, roads, bridges & piers, etc.) 

Congested Districts Board (Baseline Reports for Co. Galway 1894 are available on microfilm at 

Galway County Libraries, Island House) 

Orders made by Poor Law Commissioners and Local Government Board, 1839–1921 

Files of the Dáil Éireann Department of Local Government, 1919–1923. 

Records held at the National Library of Ireland: 

 

British Parliamentary Papers, Accounts and Papers. Relief of Distress and Union Workhouses 

(Ireland).(Galway County Library has some of these also) 

Records held at the James Hardiman Library, N.U.I. Galway 

 

Galway, Oughterard and Clifden Tramway and Light Railway Company Ltd. 1884-5, BUS2 

Records held at the Dublin City Library & Archives 

 

The Mansion House Relief Committee, 1880, Ch/1 

House of Commons, London 

Report of Dr. Brodie, Poor Law Inspector, on the condition of the western districts of Galway, 1861. 

HMSO, 1864. In Parliamentary Papers, Session 1864, Vol. LIII, p.59. House of Commons papers. 

1864; 237 : Parliamentary Papers are available on-line at http://www.dippam.ac.uk/. They are also available at 

the James Hardiman Library, NUI, Galway 



xxxi.


Secondary Sources 

Useful WWW sites 

www.workhouses.org.uk 

Irish Poor Law Maps showing levels of poor relief in every poor law 

union in Ireland in the years 1851, 1871, 1891 and 1911 together with 

statistics for the percentage of relief given as outdoor relief and the 

average weekly cost of relief. The maps provide a quick and easy 

reference point for people researching the history of the poor law in 

their locality. 

http://ah.brookes.ac.uk/researcharchive/irishpoorlawmaps/inde 

x.htm 

Tithe Applotment Books of Co. Galway, (1823) 

(copies available at Galway County Libraries, Island House) 

The Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland 

Dublin, London and Edinburgh, A. Fullarton & Co., 1884 

Transactions of the Central Relief Committee of the Society 

of Friends During the Famine in Ireland in 1846 and 1847, 

with an index by Goodbody, Rob, and published by Edmund Burke, 

Publisher, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, 1996 

Barrington, T J. 

Burke, Helen 

The Irish Administrative System 

Dublin, 1980 

The People and the Poor Laws in Nineteenth Century Ireland 

Dublin, 1987 

Campbell, Stephen J. 

Cassell, Ronald D 

The Great Famine. Words and Images from the Famine Museum 

Strokestown Park, County Roscommon 

1994 

Medical Charities, Medical Politics: The Irish Dispensary System 

and the Poor Law, 1836-1872 

Woodbridge, Boydell Press, 1997 

Colville Scott, Thomas 

Connelly, Bridget 

Connemara After the Famine, Journal of a Survey of the Martin Estate, 

1853, Robinson, Tim, ed., Lilliput Press, 1995 

Forgetting Ireland 

Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2003 

Crossman, Virginia 

Local Government in Nineteenth-Century Ireland, 

Belfast: Institute of Irish Studies, 1994 

Crossman, Virginia The Poor Law In Ireland 1838-1948 

Economic and Social History Society of Ireland, 2006 



xxxii.


Crossman, Virginia & Poverty and Welfare in Ireland 1838-1948 

Gray, Peter, Eds. Irish Academic Press, 2011 

Daly, Mary 

Eiriksson, A & Ó‟Gráda, C 

The Famine in Ireland, 

Dundalk, 1989 

Records of the Irish Famine, A Guide to Local Archives, 1840-1855, 

Irish Famine Network 1993 

Eiriksson, A & Ó‟Gráda, C 

Estate Records of the Irish Famine, A Second Guide to Famine Archives , 

1840-1855, Irish Famine Network, 1995 

Edwards, R Dudley, & 

Williams, T.D. (eds.) 

The Great Famine: Studies in Irish History 1845-52 

Dublin, 1956 

Ferriter, Diarmaid 

Glazier, I., ed. 

Griffin, Richard 

‘Lovers of Liberty?’ Local Government in 20 th Century Ireland 

National Archives of Ireland, Dublin 2001 

The Famine Immigrants. List of Irish Immigrants Arriving at the 

Port of New York 1846-1851, 1985 

General Valuation of Rateable Property in Ireland – Union of 

Clifden in the county of Galway 

Johnson, Joan 

James and Mary Ellis: Background and Quaker Famine Relief in 

Letterfrack 

Historical Committee of the Religious Society of Friends in Ireland, 

Waterford, 2000 

Kavanagh, Mary 

Galway – Gaillimh A Bibliography of the City and County 

Galway, Galway County Council, 2000 

Kinealy, Christine 

Lohan, Rena 

„The Response of the Poor Law to the Great Famine in County Galway‟ 

in Galway History & Society, eds. Moran, G. & Gillespie, R., Dublin, 

Geography Publications, 1996 

Guide to the Archives of the Office of the Public Works 

Dublin, The Stationery Office, 1994 

Lynam, Shevawn Humanity Dick Martin 'King of Connemara' 1754-1834 

Lilliput Press 

McClaughlin, Trevor 

Moffett, Miriam 

Barefoot and Pregnant? Irish Famine Orphans in Australia 

Australia, 1993 

Soupers & Jumpers, The Protestant Missions in Connemara 

Ireland, The History Press, 2008 

Mooney, Thomas A. 

Compendium of the Irish Poor Laws; and general manual for the 

Poor Law Guardians and their Officers 

Dublin, 1887 



xxxiii.


Moran, Gerard & 

Galway History and Society, 

Raymond Gillespie, eds. Dublin, Geography Publications, 1996 

Murray, James P. 

Muldoon, John 

& McSweeny, George 

Galway: A Medico Social History 

Galway, Kenny‟s Bookshop & Art Galleries Ltd., c. 1996 

A Guide to Irish Local Government Comprising an Account of the Law 

Relating to the Local Government of Counties, Cities and Districts, 

with a Full Explanation of the Act of 1898 

Eason & Son, Ltd., Dublin 1898 

Nicholls, George History of the Poor Laws in Ireland, London, 1856 

Nicholson, Asenath, 

O‟Connor, Gabriel 

O‟Connor, John 

O‟Keefe, B E, ed. 

Annals of the Famine in Ireland 

Ed. by Maureen Murphy, Dublin, The Lilliput Press Ltd, 1998 

A History of Galway County Council 

Galway County Council, 1999 

The Workhouses of Ireland The Fate of Ireland’s Poor 

Dublin, Anvil Books, 1995 

The Search for Missing Friends, Irish Immigrant Advertisements 

Placed in the Boston Pilot, Vol. I –VIII 

Boston, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1996 

O‟Neill, Timothy P „Minor Famines and Relief in Galway 1815 –1925‟ 

in Galway History & Society, eds. Gerard Moran and Raymond 

Gillespie, Dublin, Geography Publications, 1996 

Reid, Richard & 

Johnson, Keith (eds.) 

The Irish Australians, The Irish Emigrant, Selected Articles for 

Australian and Irish Family Historians 

Sydney, Australia, Society of Australian Genealogists, 1984 

Reid, Richard 

‘a decent set of girls’: The Irish Famine Orphans of the ‘Thomas 

Mongan, Cheryl Arbuthnot’ 1848 – 1850 

NSW, Australia, Yass Heritage Project, 1996 

Roche, Desmond 

Local Government in Ireland 

Dublin, Institute of Public Administration, 1982 

Smith, Cecil Woodham The Great Hunger, London, 1962 

Tuke, James H Mr. Tuke's Fund for Assisted Emigration 1882-5; 1885 18 

Eneclann CD: Ref: IET0048 ISBN: 1-84630-056-8, 1885 

Villiers-Tuthill, Kathleen 

Villiers-Tuthill, Kathleen 

A Colony of Strangers. The founding and early history of Clifden, 

Dublin, Connemara Girl Publications, 2012 

“Clifden Union, Connemara, County Galway”, 

In Atlas of the Great Irish Famine, eds. John Crowley, William J. 

Smyth, Mike Murphy, Cork University Press, 2012 

18 

Copies available in Galway County Libraries, various branches & HQ 



xxxiv.


Appendices 



xxxv.




xxxvi.


Appendix A 

A. List of Some of the Members of the Board of Guardians 

Lists of members are often found in contemporary local newspapers. 

Acheron, Capt. 

Allie, Cyril 

Archer, 

Armstrong, John (JP) 

Black, C (Inishbofin) 

Blake, Edgar. H (Chairman, 1852-53) 

Blake, Ethelstane H (Chairman, 1860) 

Blake, Robert A. 

Blake, V. 

Bodkin, John J. 

Brennan, George 

Briscoe, H. (Poor Law Inspector) 

Broughton, A. 

Broughton, Coleman. R. (+1887) 19 

Browne, Edward 

Browne, Gillman 

Burke, John 

Burke, Richard (Poor Law Inspector) 

Cafferkey, Joseph? 

Campbell, William 

Canavan, Thomas 

Carr, Mark 

Casey, James 

Cloherty, J. 

Cloherty, Thomas 

Coffey, Br. B. 

Coney, Thomas 

Coneys, Walter 

Connolly, Edward 

Connolly, Frank J. 

Connolly, John J. (Chairman, 1901, 1910-11) +1911 20 

Connolly, Stephen (1918 on active Military service) 

Cooke, Joseph 

19 GPL3/63, p128 

20 

22 Nov 1911, GPL3/98, p225 

Cooker, John F 

Copland, James 

Coyne, P. 

Coyne, J.J. 

D‟arcy, Hyacinth, (Abbeyglen) (Ex-officio, Chairman 1849) 

D‟arcy, John (+1899) 

D‟arcy, John (+1915) 

D‟arcy, John Talbot, (Major) (Chairman 1888- 

91, 1895-6) +1896 

Diamond, William J. (+1920) 

Duane, B. 

Eastwood, Thomas 

Eyre, J. (Clifden Castle) (+1894) 

Eyre, H.B. 

Eyre, Edwin (Streamstown House) 

Fitzgerald, Patrick 

Forbes, Col. W 

Fogarty, Patrick 

Freyer, Samuel 

Geraghty, John 

Gordon, Mrs Bridget, T (Chairman 1920/21) 

Gorham, James 

Gorham, Joseph, +1904 

Gorham, Patrick +1868 

Gorham, William 

Graham, Francis (Ex-officio, 1849) 

Grealish, P. 

Hall, J.C. 

Halon, J. 

Hart, Martin (Vice Chairman 1853-‟54) 

Hart, R 

Hazel, Thomas 

Hearne, Thomas 

Henry, M 



xxxvii.


Hildiband, Henry 

Hynes, Richard J. 

Jones, John C. 

Joyce, James B. 

Joyce, James R. 

Joyce, Tobias 

Joyce, Michael (Chairman 1913-14) 

Joyce, Patrick 

Joyce, Redmond 

Kane, John 

Kearney, Richard 

Kelly, B 

Kelly, J. 

Kendall, Edward (JP, 1880) +1895 

King, B. 

King, Cornelius (Chairman, 1884) 

King, John 

King, Mark 

King, Martin 

King, Michael (Chairman 1905, 1911/13) 

King, Stephen 

King, Patrick 

King, Thomas 

Kneafsey, John M. 

Lavelle, Michael 

Lee, Bernard. (Chairman 1899) (+1915) 

Leonard, D. 

Lynch, Edward, (Omey) 

Lyden, A. J. 

Lydon, John 

Lydon, Martin 21 

Lydon, P. J. 

Lydon, Thomas (+1874) 

Lydon, Thomas 

McCullagh, Thomas 

McDonagh, Thomas (+1898) 

McDonnell, Joseph 1863 (Renvyle) 

McDonnell. Miss M. (c.1911- ) 

21 Resigned as Guardian in November 1885 as he wished 

to apply for the position of Relieving Officer (GPL3/61) 

McDona (McDonagh), Patrick (+ 1914) 

McDonnell, Harry 

McDonnel, J. 

McLoughlin, John J. 

McLoughlin, Martin 

McMahon 

Maguire, Br. Bernard (Ardbear Monastery, Clifden, )Vice 

Chairman 1885) 

MacAuley, Patrick 

Maloney, M. 

Manning, Michael T. 

Mannion, Michael 

Meredith, Thomas 

Mongan, Martin (+1921) 

Moran, Martin 

Morris, Anthony 

Mullarky, T. 

Mullen, Michael 

Mullin. James 

Murphy, Stephen 

Nally, M. 

Naughton, Coleman 

Nee, P. 

Nolan, Colonel J.P., MP (Chairman 1885) 22 

O‟Connor, C.S. (1917 employed in Munitions works) 

O‟Donnell, H. 

O‟Donnell, P. 

O‟Flaherty, George 

O‟Flaherty, Thomas (Jr.) 

O‟Grady, W? 

O‟Hara, Patrick 

O‟Leary, Dennis 

O‟Loughlin, John (Nov 1917 excused from Board for 

non attendance) 

O‟Malley, John (Nov 1917 excused from Board for non 

attendance) 

O‟Malley, Mark (+1904) 

O‟Neill, Michael 

O‟Neill, Patrick (resigned 1892) (+1916) 

22 In 1889 he was elected Chairman of Tuam BG 

(GPL5/67). In 1899 Nolan (1839-1912) was elected the 

first Chairman of Galway County Council (GC/1/1) 



xxxviii.


O‟Toole, Peter 

Prendergast 

Prior, Thomas 

Reidy, John (+1911) 

Robertson, [William] 

Robertson, John 

Robinson, George (JP) (Ballinahinch Castle) 

(Chairman 1862 -66, 1873-‟80, 1886-„87) 

Robinson, Henry A.(Chairman 1894) 

Scully, M. 

Shea, Gartside (resigned Apr 1870) 

Smith, Hamilton C (+1892) 

Stuart, C. 

Stewart, Charles (Bencor ED) 

Sweeney, James (Nov 1917 excused from Board for 

non attendance) 

Thomson, Capt. C. H. (Ex-officio) +1905 

Wall, Walter S. (+1902) 

Walsh, Anthony 

Walsh, Thomas 

Ward, Stephen 

Vallely, James J. (+1908) 

Vallely, M. 

Vaughan, Martin 



xxxix.


From Thom's Irish Almanac and Official Directory for the Year 1862 

Galway County 

The Board of Guardians meets on Wednesdays. 

Chairman 

Geo. J. Robinson, esq., J.P., Ballinahinch Castle, via Galway. 

Vice-Chairman 

Martin R. Hart, esq., Clifden. 

Deputy Vice-Chairman John Geraghty, esq., Doonpark, Clifden. 

Treasurer 

William H. Suffield, M.D., Clifden. 

Clerk and Returning Officer John Burke. 

Master and Matron Mathias Maley & Margt. Concannon. 

Chaplains:- Established Church, * * * 

Roman Catholic, Rev. Patrick M'Manus. 

Medical Officer 

William H. Suffield, M.D. 

Relieving Officer 

Cornelius King, Clifden. 

Medical Officers of Dispensary Districts:- 

Clifden, William H. Suffield, M.D. 

Renvyle, George St. George Tyner, M.D. 

Roundstone, C. J. Payne, M.D.G. 



xl.


Appendix B 

B. Electoral Divisions covered by Clifden Poor Law Union 

Electoral Divisions which at various periods came under the administration of the Old Union 

Ballindoon 

Bunnowen 


Derrylea 

Dunloughan 

Errislannon 

Renvyle 

Roundstone 

Electoral Divisions which at various periods came under the administration of the New Union (c1851-52) 

Ballinakill 

Bencorr 

Bunnowen 

Cleggan 


Cushkillery 

Derrycunlagh 

Derrylea 

Dunloughan 

Errislannon 

Illion 

Inishbofin 

Knockbeg 

Moynes 

Owengowla 

Rinvyle 

Roundstone 

Silerna 

Skannive 



xli.




xlii.


C. List of some Workhouse Officials and Staff 

Appendix C 

Lists of most staff members are found in various contemporary directories such as Slater‟s or Pigot‟s 

Vice Guardians, appointed 1848 - 1849 

Workhouse Master 

Joyce ? - 1849 23 

Workman, George 1849 24 - 

Divine, John ? - 1852 25 

Greany, K? 1852? - 1854? 

Burke, John 

1854? - 1858 (also acting as Clerk from 1855, post amalgamated for a period) 

Maley, Mathias 1858 -1860, 1860-1863 (Acting Master, for nine months before being appointed in Sept 1858. 

Resignation accepted July 1860 following complaints of the „dirt and neglect‟ of the 

workhouse but re-instated at same meeting (GPL4/25, 11 July 1860, p9 ) 

Hearne John 1864 - 1869 

Davern, Patrick 1869 26 - 1874 27 

Coney, John 1874 - 1880 

Higgins, Patrick 

1880 28 - 1895+ 29 30 - (ill for much of 1893, Connolly appointed Master pro-tem, e.g. GPL3/75, p269 see 

also p389) 

Cloonan, Patrick 1895 - 1897 31 32 33 34 35 Acting Master for initial period 

Casey, Patrick 1897 - 1900 36 

King, Richard 1900 - 37 1901? 

Wrin, John 1901 38 - 1908 39 

Lavelle, Michael 1908 40 - 41 , 42 (resumed duty after war absence on 18 th April 1920) 43 

King, Stephen 1915 - (Temporary, during war absence of Lavelle) 

Mullen, Patrick 1919 - 1920 44 (Temporary, during Lavelle‟s war absence) 

23 

GPL3/108, resigned, letter from PLC 13 th Jun 1849, ref. 36099/1849 

24 

GPL3/10, p8 

25 

31 Mar 1852, GPL3/14, p9, appointed to Master in Castlebar Union 

26 

3 Nov 1869, GPL3/39, f4 

27 

GPL3/45, pp290-1 

28 

2 Jun 1880, GPL3/52, f165 & f175 

29 

Apr 1890 , GPL3/69, p10, requested leave of absence to have tumour in his side operated on 

30 

5 Jun 1895, GPL3/78, pp228-9 

31 

25 Sept 1895, GPL3/79, p8 

32 

GPL3/79, p162 & p185 

33 

18 Dec 1895, GPL3/79, pp272-3, see also p426 & p449 

34 

29 Apr, 1896, GPL3/80, p74 

35 

7 Apr 1897, GPL3/81, p417 

36 

5 Dec 1900, GPL3/86, p491 

37 

13 Feb 1901, GPL3/86, p567 

38 

25 Nov 1903, GPL3/89, pp518-9 

39 

25 Mar 1908, GP3/94, p276, see also 294b-g, p325 

40 

13 May 1908, GPL3/95, p373 

41 

5 Jul 1915, GPL3/102, p6 – granted leave with full pay „...during his absence on war service at the rate of £40 per year’ 

42 

10 Mar 1920, GPL3/106, p77 

43 

12 May 1920, GPL3/106, p167 



xliii.


Assistant Workhouse Master 

Tristan, John 1849 45 

Mullin, John 1849 – 

Fruston, John [1849] – 

[Kneafey], Peter [1849] – 

Connolly, Michael 1852 – 

Clerk of Union 

Smith, Hamilton 1849 - 1855? 

Burke, John 

1854? - 1890+ 46 (1888 ill but resumed work) 

King, Festus 1890 – 1925? 

Assistant Clerk 

Gallagher 1849? – 

King, Festus 1886? - (Assistant Clerk under the Relief of Distress Act 1886) 

King, Festus 1888 - (appointed assistant Clerk during Burke‟s illness) 47 he acted as assistant Clerk for 

over 15 years, generally paid direct by the Clerk (Burke) out of his own salary. 

Connolly, John 1891? – 1894 

Bodkin, P.H. 1909?- 1912 


? 184? - 1848 (died of typhus fever which „raged’ in the workhouse‟ (GPL3/37, f65) 

Suffield, Dr William 1848 - 1868 48 (Clifden Dispensary & Workhouse; resigned due to ill health) 

Payne, Dr C 1849 - 1886 49 (Roundstone Dispensary, appointed workhouse Doctor following Dr Suffield‟s resignation) 

Kearney, Dr Ambrose 1868?- +1890? 50 (Carna district & 1868 Roundstone No. 1 district) 

Painter, Dr 186?- 1874 (Inishbofin Dispensary, September 1868 appointed to Roundstone Dispensary district) 

Kerr, Dr 18?? – 1872 51 (Renvyle Dispensary district) 

Hart, Dr 

1867- 1899 52 53 (Inishbofin dispensary district, c. 1873 Clifden No.2 District 

McManus?, Dr 1874 - ? (Inishbofin dispensary district) 

Griffin, Dr, 1873?-1877? (Inishbofin dispensary district) 

44 24 Mar 1920, GPL3/106, p113 

45 

GPL3/109, 15 Sept1849 

46 

GPL3/69, pp330-1, ‘he exhibited a zeal and ability in the discharge of his arduous and many times much more than arduous duties 

through all that time that elicited from the people in the highest positions the deepest gratitude for the valuable services he had rendered 

them and all in times of great difficulty and distress’. 

47 

GPL3/66, p90, see also p308 

48 

Transcript of letter of resignation, due to ill health (27 May 1868, GPL3/37, f195), see also letter regarding resignation due to ill health 

and setting out case for superannuation (Sept 1868,GPL3/38,f f65-67) 

49 

„sudden & lamented death of Dr Payne’, 6 th Feb 1886, GPL3/61, see also p309 & p329 

50 

7 May 1890, see GPL3/69, p57 

51 

See 30 Oct 1872, GPL3,44, p12 

52 

See 12 Dec 1898, GPL3/84, p615 

53 

16 Jan 1899, GPL3/85, p39, see also p61 



xliv.


Gorham, Patrick 1874 – 1913 (Roundstone dispensary district & appointed Medical officer to workhouse & Clifden 

dispensary following Dr Payne‟s death in 1886) 54 (1895 on sick leave) 55 , 56 (+1920) 

Fox, P.H. 1877? - 1879 (Inishbofin dispensary district) 57 

D‟Alton, Dr. 1879? Clifden no. 2 (also known as Inishbofin dispensary district) 

Gorham, James 1880 ?- 1914? 58 Clifden no. 2 (aka Inishbofin dispensary district), ill 1911 

Keans, Dr 1880? – 1886 Clifden no. 2 (aka Inishbofin dispensary district) 

McDonnell, J.J. 1886? - Renvyle Dispensary 

Bodkin, Dr Geoffrey 

1886 59 , 60 - +1894 Locum initially, then appointed to Roundstone No. 2 Dispensary district, Uncle 

of Dr Kearney) 

Foley, Thomas H. 1894? - 1897+ Roundstone Dispensary no. 2 district 

Semple, Dr 1888 Temporary MO in workhouse 

Loftus, Dr J.J. 1890? – 1913 Roundstone Dispensary No. 1 district 61 , 62 

Coneys, Walter J. 

1894? - 1904 63 + Roundstone Dispensary No. 2 district 

Ryan, Jeremiah B. 1899 64 - 1901 Clifden No. 2 (aka Inishbofin Dispensary District) 

Hayes, S E Bouchier 1901 - 1903 Inishbofin Dispensary District also known as Clifden No. 2 district & included Inish Shark) 

Young, Benjamin P 1903 65 

Hickey, Thomas 1904 66 Roundstone No. 2 Dispensary District 

Young 1904 67 - ? Roundstone No. 2 Dispensary District 

Casey, Dr Joseph 1904 - 68 - Temp. MO of Clifden No. 2 district; 1914 appointed to Clifden No. 1 DD & 

Clifden workhouse 

O‟Hanlon 1904 - +1905 69 Clifden No. 2 District (aka Inishbofin) 

Lydon, Michael A 1905 Temporary MO. Inishbofin Dispensary District; Roundstone No. 2; & Carna 70 , 71 

Gray, 1905 72 -1906? Clifden No. 2 District 

Hassard , Robert 1907- 1911 73 Roundstone No. 2 District 

Murphy 1912?-1916 Roundstone no. 2 

Freyer, P.W. 1906?-1911 74 Clifden no. 2 District (aka Inishbofin) 

Moore, John P 1911 75 76 Clifden No. 2 district (aka Inishbofin) 

54 

See GPL3/61, pp449-51, for instance, validity of appointment queried by LGB and case argued by BG 

55 

27 May 1895, GPL3/78, p215 

56 

24 Dec 1913, GPL3/100 pp318-9, resigns ‘owing to infirmity and illness I find I am unable to carry out the very onerous duties of my 

various offices’. See also p338 & p345 

57 

9 Apr 1879, GPL3/50, p509, 

58 

12 Aug 1914, GPL3/101, p79 

59 

GPL3/63, p192 

60 

See GPL3/69, p96 

61 

9 Aug 1905, GPL3/91, p382, „Dr Loftus services be dispensed with...‟ 

62 

26 Nov 1913, GPL3/100p, p238-41, 258-9 

63 

Died of Typhus fever, see 20 Jan 1904, GPL3/89, p602 

64 

See GPL3/85, p171 

65 

See 11 Nov 1903, GPL3/89, p504 

66 

See 30 Mar 1904, GPL3/90, p87 

67 

See 8 Jun 199, GPL3/90, p218 

68 

27 Sept 1911, GPL3/98, p158 & p179 

69 

See GPL3/90, 4 Jan 1905, pp570-1 

70 

9 Aug 1905, GPL3/91, p382 

71 

2 May 1906 GPL3/93, p14 regarding Inquiry into the resignation of Dr Loftus as Workhouse Medical Officer in Feb 1905 

72 

19 Apr 1905, GPL3/ 91, p174 

73 

11 Oct 1911, GPL3/98, p180b 

74 

GPL3/97, p998 & p1040b 

75 

26 July 1911, GPL3/98, p58 

76 

GPL3/98, p118, see also p158 & p178, p199, p298, p318, p340b, p358-9 



xlv.


O‟Brien, James 1914 Roundstone No. 1 District 77 

Fryer, P.W. 1914 78 Clifden no. 2 District – temporary appointment 

Ash, 1914 - Roundstone No. 1 & temporary Roundstone No. 2 

Collins, Thomas 1914 79 - Roundstone No. 1 

Lee, Michael 1919 80 Roundstone no. 2 

Shannon, Dr 1919 Substitute for Casey in Clifden No. 1 DD & Clifden workhouse 

Kearns, Dr 1919 - 1920 81 Roundstone no. 1 

Nohilly, 1920 82 - Roundstone no. 1 

O‟ Flaherty, 1920 Roundstone No. 1 

Collins 1920? Roundstone No. 1 

Freyer, 1921 Roundstone No. 2 (Carna) 

Matron 

[Skaronban], A 1849? 

Greany, C 1852? – 1854 83 

Concanon, Margaret 1854? – 1868 (Post of School mistress & Matron amalgamated for a time in 1860)? 

Bruen, Maria 1869 - 1872 84 

King, Mary Anne 1873 85 - 1874? 86 

Boughton, Margaret 1880 87 , 88 - 1908 89 

Conroy, Bridget Teresa 1908 90 - 1909 

Schley, Ellen 1909 91 - 1919 92 

Coyne, Annie 1914 Temporary matron (Aug 1914 - ) 

O‟Halloran, Hannah 1919 93 - 

Assistant Matron 

King, Mary 1849? - 

77 

25 Feb 1914, GPL3/100, p358 

78 

9 Sept 1914, GPL3/101, p120 

79 

11 Nov 1914, GPL3/101, p219 & p238 

80 

8 Oct 1919, GPL3/105, p482 

81 

14 Apr 1920, GPL3/106, p142 

82 

14 Apr 1920, GPL3/106, p142 

83 

GPL3/18, pp131,p133 

84 

Resigned, 18 Dec 1872, GPL3/44, p109 

85 

GPL3/44, p269 

86 

GPL3/52, f189 

87 

11 Feb 1880, GPL51, f5, 

88 

26 Feb 1896, GPL3/79, p473 

89 

26 Feb 1908, GPL3/95, p228 

90 

25 Mar 1908, GPL3/95, p261 

91 

17 March 1909, GPL3/96, p311 

92 

10 Sep 1919, GPL3/105, p424 – resigned due to continued illness. See also p446, 489, 511, 555 & GPL3/106, p23, 77 

93 

8 October 1919, GPL3/105, p467, see also p555, & GPL3/106, p238 



xlvi.


School Mistress 

Glynn, Honor ? - 1854 

Kelly, A 1854? - 1856 94 

Reilly, ? 

1856 - 1857 Feb 

Egan, Catherine 1857 - 1858 (resigned Sept 1858) 

Walshe, Bridget 1858 - 1860 (Matron acted as school Mistress for a time in 1860-‟61) 

Reilly, Ellen 1861 – 1866 

Prendergast 1866 95 

King, Mary Anne 1867? - 1873 (became Matron) 

Prendagast, Kate 1873 - 1874 96 

Geraghty, 1878? - 1886 (resigned to join her family in Australia, GPL3/61, p308) 

Lydon 1886 97 - 

King, Mary 1886? - 1903 (Office of School Mistress abolished (children boarded out or sent to other institutions) 

School Master 

Purcell, Richard [1849] – 

Commins, ? – March 1853 

Hacket, Walter ? - 1854 98 

Bruen, Edward 1869? - 1870 99 

Hospital Nurse 

Fogarty, Mary 1863? - 1894 100 

Broughton, E 1895? - 

Bodkin, Mary Kate 1900? - ? 

Walsh, Mary 1902 -1904 (2 nd Nurse appointed due to growing number in hospital) 

Kearney, 1904 - 1914 

Walsh, Alice 1919 101 - (Cleggan) 

Porter 

Duane Thomas ? – 1857 Feb 

Faherty, Patrick 1857 - 1860 June (resigned Apr 1860, but subsequently re-instated) 

Davis, William 1860 - 1863 

Galvin, Hugh 1863 – 1864 

94 

10 Sept 1856, p8, GPL3/21, p8 

95 

12 Dec 1866, GPL3/35, 12 Dec 1866 

96 

GPL3/46, p387 and ibid p429 

97 

GPL3/61, p448, given her age, only 17, the LGB questioned her suitability. See also GPL/61, p468 

98 

See Tuam Poor Law Union archive collection, GPL5/24, p368) 

99 

Resigned as he had been appointed Master of Ballinrobe workhouse (county Mayo) (26 Oct 1870, GPL3/41,f95) 

100 

Resigned, as considered too cold for the job, see GPL3/76, p 554 & 609. 

101 

28 May 1919, GPL3/105, p269 & p291 



xlvii.


McDermott, William 1864 - 1898 

Bodkin, Bernard 1899 - +1920 

Joyce, Myles 1920 - 

Poor Law Inspector 

Brodie, Dr 1860 – 1868 - Ceased to be associated with the Union (GPL3/37, f25) 

Roughan, Dr 1868 – 

Brodie, Dr 1873? – 1879 [transferred to Cork District] 102 

Power, A. 1879 - ? 

Fair, Major Ruttledge 1891?- +1913 103 

Dillon, Dr Florence 1913 Assistant Temporary Medical Inspector of Infirmary & Workhouse 

102 

GPL3/50, p468 

103 

8 January 1913, GPL3/99, pp285-286 



xlviii.


D. Recorded Number of Inmates Resident and Deaths in the 

Workhouse 

Appendix D 

Original capacity in 1841 was for 300 inmates 

By 1849 the total capacity including temporary buildings, sheds and fever hospital was 1,856 

Population of Clifden Union in 1881 was 24,259 and in 1891 it was 20,569 

Week Ending No. in Workhouse No. of Deaths 

30 June 1849 1,671 4 

14 July 1849 1,528 7 

21 July 1849 1,590 5 

18 August 1849 1,705 5 

15 September 1849 1,389 4 

20 October 1849 1,294 2 

17 November 1849 1,603 6 

1 December 1849 1,750 3 

5 January 1950 1,642 9 

12 January 1850 1,845 7 

19 January 1850 1,906 8 

26 January 1850 1,909 12 

9 February 1850 1,964 7 

23 February 1850 1,971 12 

9 March 1850 1,963 13 

16 March 1850 1,926 18 

17 January 1852 1,269 - 

5 June 1852 1,399 4 

1 June 1853 577 

7 December 1853 302 1 

4 January 1954 302 3 

3 June 1854 283 1 

6 December 1854 227 1 

1 December 1855 165 1 

7 June 1855 190 - 

15 November 1855 140 - 

3 December 1856 136 - 

3 June 1957 139 1 

25 November 1857 110 1 

2 December 1857 107 1 

2 June 1858 107 - 

8 December 1858 97 - 



xlix.



22 January 1859 100 - 

15 June 1859 100 2 

4 April 1860 102 - 

6 June 1860 114 - 

5 December 1860 96 1 

5 June 1861 117 - 

1 January 1862 119 

4 June 1862 176 - 

7 January 1863 125 - 

28 November 1863 134 - 

26 March 1864 142 - 

1 June 1864 174 - 

5 October 1864 100 - 

28 December 1864 124 - 

19 April 1865 152 - 

7 June 1865 161 - 

3 January 1866 119 - 

20 June 1866 114 1 

5 September 1866 96 1 

5 December 1866 117 - 

30 January 1867 141 - 

20 February 1867 130 - 

16 March 1867 125 2 

24 April 1867 140 1 

15 May 1867 182 - 

1 June 1867 197 4 

8 June 1867 195 - 

28 June 1867 180 4 

7 December 1867 144 - 

4 January 1868 151 - 

30 June 1868 162 - 

9 September 1868 143 - 

5 December 1868 148 - 

30 January 1869 167 1 

20 February 1869 160 - 

30 October 1869 132 - 

20 January 1870 182 1 

5 June 1870 144 0 

July 1870 149 - 

4 January 1871 151 - 

March 1871 139 - 

7 June 1871 133 - 

27 December 1871 104 - 



l.



3 January 1872 107 - 

5 June 1872 131 1 

18 December 1872 116 2 

4 June 1873 112 1 

26 July 1873 112 - 

10 January 1874 145 - 

6 June 1874 171 1 

23 January 1875 133 - 

1 May 1875 113 - 

1 April 1876 136 - 

3 June 1876 122 1 

23 December 1876 115 1 

18 May 1878 - 134 1 

14 December 1878 137 - 

4 January 1879 138 - 

19 April 1879 156 1 

18 October 1879 136 - 

31 January 1880 153 1 

29 May 1880 139 1 

7 August 1880 131 - 

1 December 1880 142 1 

1 January 1881 143 1 

7 May 1881 139 1 

9 September 1882 135 - 

13 January 1883 142 1 

5 May 1883 141 2 

8 December 1883 134 - 

5 January 1884 140 1 

7 June 1884 153 - 

30 August 1884 135 1 

31 December 1884 141 1 

21 February 1885 158 2 

28 March 1885 145 1 

13 June 1885 154 - 

29 August 1885 145 - 

5 December 1885 171 1 

9 January 1886 184 1 

16 January 1886 202 0 

5 February1886 188 3 

27 February 1886 177 1 

1 May 1886 168 1 

20 November 1886 146 - 

11 December 1886 141 5 



li.



1 January 1887 142 - 

5 March 1887 141 - 

15 May 1887 141 1 

11 June 1887 133 - 

27 August 1887 124 - 

12 November 1887 119 2 

31 December 1887 127 1 

14 January 1888 131 - 

25 January 1888 139 - 

25 April 1888 129 2 

27 June 1888 122 - 

25 July 1888 121 - 

28 July 1888 115 1 

3 November 1888 122 - 

29 December 1888 122 1 

9 February 1889 129 - 

16 February 1889 131 - 

4 May 1889 110 1 

10 August 1889 97 - 

31 August 1889 100 - 

26 April 1890 95 2 

11 October 1890 100 - 

27 December 1890 100 4 

24 January 1891 105 1 

11 March 1891 104 2 

9 May 1891 99 1 

13 June 1891 84 - 

18 July 1891 82 - 

30 January 1892 94 1 

19 March 1892 105 1 

23 April 1892 97 - 

6 August 1892 96 - 

24 September 1892 96 - 

2 October 1892 97 - 

12 December 1892 110 - 

15 February 1893 106 1 

12 April 1893 101 - 

12 July 1893 99 - 

30 August 1893 99 1 

9 September 1893 98 - 

28 October 1893 93 - 

13 January 1894 99 - 

24 February 1894 104 1 

10 March 1894 103 - 

26 May 1894 103 - 

21 July 1894 101 - 

12 September 1894 101 1 

3 November 1894 108 - 



lii.



26 January 1895 103 1 

23 February 1895 110 2 

16 March 1895 98 2 

15 May 1895 105 - 

10 August 1895 103 2 

14 September 1895 102 1 

2 November 1895 119 1 

25 January 1896 115 2 

28 March 1896 120 - 

9 May 1896 117 1 

11July 1896 123 - 

12 September 1896 119 - 

3 October 1896 122 - 

14 November 1896 123 - 

30 January 1897 140 - 

17 April 1897 134 - 

8 May 1897 129 1 

3 July 1897 127 1 

2 October 1897 121 - 

27 November 1897 115 - 

1 January 1898 112 1 

19 March 1898 119 - 

28 May 1898 107 - 

30 July 1898 101 - 

5 November 1898 115 1 

7 January 1899 116 - 

29 April 1899 111 3 

3 June 1899 104 1 

23 September 1899 92 - 

2 December 1899 93 - 

13 January 1900 97 2 

10 March 1900 94 1 

18 August 1900 92 - 

15 December 1900 99 - 

9 February 1901 107 - 

27 November 1901 106 1 

19 February 1902 105 - 

24 May 1902 102 2 

27 September 1902 91 1 

6 December 1902 102 - 

3 January 1903 99 1 

9 May 1903 99 1 

12 September 1903 99 - 

5 December 1903 100 - 



liii.



30 January 1904 100 - 

23 April 1904 100 2 

28 September 1904 98 - 

3 December 1904 103 - 

14 January 1905 105 - 

4 March 1905 110 - 

22 July 1905 99 - 

23 September 1905 92 - 

28 April 1906 107 - 

1 September 1906 115 - 

5 January 1907 106 - 

27 April 1907 96 - 

13 July 1907 98 - 

2 November 1907 93 - 

22 February 1908 104 - 

23 May 1908 100 - 

4 July 1908 101 - 

7 November 1908 93 1 

2 January 1909 91 - 

8 May 1909 92 1 

10 July 1909 87 - 

22 December 1909 93 1 

22 January 1910 96 - 

21 May 1910 80 1 

24 September 1910 81 - 

4 February 1911 65 - 

10 June 1911 68 - 

16 September 1911 73 1 

13 December 1912 81 - 

6 January 1912 80 - 

16 March 1912 69 - 

18 May 1912 69 - 

10 August 1912 60 - 

7 December 1912 70 - 

11 January 1913 76 - 

8 March 1913 74 - 

24 May 1913 67 - 

5 July 1913 68 1 

8 November 1913 73 - 

10 January 1914 67 2 

18 April 1914 74 1 

6 June 1914 78 - 

5 September 1914 66 - 

21 November 1914 70 - 

19 December 1914 66 1 



liv.



6 February 1915 73 - 

8 May 1915 61 1 

19 June 1915 59 1 


4 December 1915 56 - 

8 January 1916 62 - 

8 April 1916 65 - 

8 July 1916 62 1 

20 September 1916 68 - 

9 December 1916 69 1 

6 January 1917 70 - 

21 April 1917 67 - 

7 July 1917 55 - 

22 December 1917 56 1 

19 January 1918 62 1 

8 February 1918 56 1 

6 July 1918 64 - 


23 November 1918 54 1 

7 December 1918 54 - 

8 February 1919 55 - 

7 June 1919 62 2 


8 November 1919 62 - 

4 January 1919 59 - 

8 March 1919 61 - 

9 August 1919 55 - 

22 November 1919 60 - 

6 December 1919 61 - 

10 January 1920 64 - 

6 March 1920 60 2 

8 May 1920 61 1 

24 July 1920 56 1 

20 November 1920 45 - 

4 December 1920 48 - 

8 January 1920 53 1 

12 March 1921 53 - 

23 July 1921 62 - 

24 September 1921 53 - 

19 November 1921 60 1 



lv.




lvi.


Appendix E 

E. Cost of Inmates in the Workhouse 

Average cost of an inmate in the 

Workhouse Infirmary Fever Hospital 

1849 £0.1.0½ £0.1.11 £0.2/2½ 

December 1856 £0.3.2½ £0.2.0 

September 1858 £0.1.11 £0.2.00 

May 1862 £0.2.4½ £0.3.10 

May 1867 £0.2.7½ £0.3.7 

December 1876 £0.2.4 £0.4.0 

March 1880 £0.2.9 £0.3.8 

July 1883 £0.2.5 £0.4.7 

October 1885 £1.11 £3.6 

February 1889 £0.2.1 £0.3.7½ 

May 1895 £0.2.5½ £0.3.8 £0.3.10 

September 1908 

£0.4.1¼ 



lvii.




lviii.


Appendix F 

F. List of Abbreviations 

B.G. 

C.D.B. 

Co.Co. 

DÉ 

E.D. 

G.C.C. 

GCCA 

I.P.M. 

J.P. 

L.G.B. 

MGWR 

M.O. 

M.P. 

O.P.W. 

P.L.C. 

P.L. 

P.P. 

R.C. 

R.D.C 

RIC 

R.O. 

Board of Guardians 

Congested Districts Board 

County Council 

Dáil Éireann 

Electoral Division 


Galway County Council Archives 

Irish Plantation Measure 

Justice of the Peace 

Local Government Board 

Midlands Great Western Railway Co. 


Member of Parliament 

Office of Public Works 

Poor Law Commissioners 

Poor Law 

Parish Priest 

Roman Catholic 

Rural District Council 

Royal Irish Constabulary 

Relieving Officer 



lix.




lx.


GPL3/ 




1849 - 1921 



lxi.

GPL3/ Clifden Poor Law Union 



1.


A. Minutes of Board of Guardians Meetings, 1849 - 1921 

Bound volumes of manuscript minutes recording details of attendance and proceedings 

of weekly or twice monthly meetings relating to the maintenance, administration and 

financing of the workhouse, distribution of out-door relief, and the care of workhouse 

inmates as regards their accommodation and employment, and to medical, pastoral, 

educational, and dietary needs. Minutes include statistics on the number of persons 

accommodated in the workhouse, together with the number of births and deaths, and 

the number receiving outdoor relief; confirmation that various reports, financial and 

other records, such as the Workhouse Register, Provision Check Accounts, Out-door 

Relief Lists, Medical Officers‟ books, and reports of the Visiting Committee, the 

workhouse Master and other Officers were produced, examined and approved together 

with details of required action relating to the information provided therein; details of all 

monies received or paid, and all orders and cheques given, such as those required for 

the supply of food and clothing; details of rates collected, arrears, and declared 

irrecoverable in each electoral division; also includes details of orders and letters 

received from or written to the Poor Law Commissioners, and their successor the Local 

Government Board and others, and details of subsequent resolutions passed and 

instructions issued authorising required action; details of the Master‟s report and 

resolutions adopted to address any issues raised therein; and from 1854 provision is 

included for minutes of the proceedings of the Board under the Medical Charities Acts 

and Nuisances Removal and Disease Prevention Acts, and subsequently under Public 

Health Acts. 

Only occasionally are inmates referred to by name, usually in the context of specific 

situations such as an application to be discharged from the workhouse or relating to a 

disciplinary matter. 

From 1899 the pre-printed format alters slightly, reflecting the transfer of some 

functions to the Rural District Councils, in particular rate collection. From about this 

time the minutes primarily relate to the management of the workhouse and the 

dispensary districts. Most of the business conducted related to the appointment of 

Medical Officers, and to the maintenance of their residences, of dispensaries and the 

workhouse. 

The minutes are generally dated, and signed by the Clerk of the Union, and the 

Chairman. Many of the earlier volumes include an index to main resolutions passed 

and discussion topics. 

Average size 450pp 

(1-9) 



2.


10. 3 July 1849 - 27 March 1850 Includes: 

- Details of the diet recommended by the Medical Officer (p19 & p79). 

- PLC letter No 53133…‟stating in reference to the number of persons who can be 

accommodated in the Bunowen Workhouse building, that Mr Bourke P.L. Inspector 

considers them capable of accommodating about 600 persons‟ (p47). 

- „The Master requires 500 yards of calico for immediate use, as all the materials in the 

house are in the possession of the Sheriff, and many of the women are unclothed in 

consequence, and unemployed, and a number of the men have not shirts‟ (p185). 

- „Letter from John Mullin, Assistant Master, expressing his regret at having in a moment of 

excitement been led into a breach of discipline by striking Mary Gilmore, a pauper, with a 

stick, she having attempted to obtain more rations than she was entitled to – appealing to 

his former good conduct and praying that he might be re-instated in his office‟ (p207). 

- „The Master would call the attention of the Board to the daily increasing number in the 

house with the view of checking the issue of admission tickets to the Workhouse and at 

the same time to mention that the accommodation for Females and Children is quite 

insufficient. He has been obliged to appropriate one of the Male wards exclusively for 

Females and to remove the beds and bedding from another of the Male wards which is at 

present particularly unoccupied, as the bedding, blankets, etc which are in the store are in 

the hands of the Sherriff and cannot be applied to any immediate use‟ (p215 104 ). 

- „That Inishbofin Island being so distant and inaccessible except in fine weather it would be 

most dangerous that the Clifden Relieving Officer should take charge of it. We therefore 

continue of opinion that a person should be appointed for that Division but at a small 

salary not exceeding £20 a year, and that Tenders be received on the 26 th instant (p220, 

see also p271)‟. 

- Transcript of a letter from Anthony Kearns, Relieving Officer, Clifden to the Chairman of 

the Board stating “Knowing your humanity and the moral responsibility which rests upon 

me as Relieving Officer of the district, I feel it my duty to state to you as Chairman of the 

Board, that if I am kept another week out of supplies I fear very much that some people in 

my district will die of want, while others will be driven to crime‟ (p237). 

- „The Master of the Workhouse having complained that Mr Redmond Joyce accompanied 

by certain strangers did on the evening of Friday at a late hour enter the kitchen of the 

W.house and make use of language to the female paupers there present likely to lead to a 

breach of discipline and which did end in an assault upon Mr Joyce and those persons 

with him, and that Mr Joyce subsequently went up with the said persons to the female 

dormitories while the women were in bed, all which is totally destructive of discipline, and 

Mr Joyce on the other hand having charged the Master amongst other things, at coming at 

if not encouraging, the insults offered to him by certain paupers while in the discharge of 

104 

At that time, 8 November 1849, there were 710 able-bodied females and 330 males, and 396 boys and 396 girls. 



3.


his duties as a member of the Visiting Committee. Resolved that the Board enquire into 

all the circumstances of the case on Tuesday next…‟(p278). 

- Report from the Medical Officer advising that „disease is much on the increase in your 

workhouse and ancillaries. Fever, Dysentery and Bowel complaints have become very 

prevalent. The Infirmary and Fever Hospital are over-crowded with patients, and I was 

yesterday obliged to refuse admission to many sick paupers for want of room. It will be 

therefore necessary that further Hospital accommodation be provided without delay, 

numbers of paupers come into the workhouse suffering from disease and the majority of 

them are much reduced by previous want and starvation. The severe cold and want of 

sufficient clothes increase the evil‟ (p279). 

- PLC letter advising they had received communication from „Rev Mr O‟Malley in which he 

acknowledged that he was the author of the letter bearing date the 15 th January which 

appeared in the Tablet Newspaper but stated that he did not intend to convey an 

insinuation that the object of the Guardians in administering relief to the Poor was to 

Proselytize the applicants for relief‟ (p367). 

- „Mr Griffith Inspector reported that he had received from the PLC £150 to be applied 

exclusively in aid of the rates for the relief of the destitute poor also that he had received 

£500 for the purpose of providing clothing & bedding and additional workhouse 

accommodation‟ (p368). 

- „Ordered that Mr Colles, solicitor, be directed to take proceedings by Civil Bill against Mr 

Edward Coneys. 

Ordered that Mr Colles be directed to take proceedings by Civil Bill against Mr J D‟Arcy at 

Sessions where he resides for £24.60 amount due by him as occupier….‟ (p368) 

(11-13) 

14. 21 January 1852 - 4 August 1852 Volume of rough minutes. Includes: 

„Resolved that the Committee to meet on Saturday the 31 st inst be requested to draw up a 

full statement of the hopeless embarrassment of this Union, point out the utter impossibility 

of the rate at present in course of collection being more than sufficient to meet the current 

expenses of the House, and the utter ruin that would be caused by an attempt to increase 

the local taxation, and to prepare a resolution requesting the Commissioners to bring the 

unfortunate and hopeless state of his Union before government in the hope that some 

necessary relief may be devised‟ (28 Jan 1852, p13). 

Absconded during the week ended 21 st February, Pat Mannion and Thomas [McDono] 

both admitted on the 18 th and absconded on the 20 th inst, taking with them a full suit of 

clothes each. 

Ordered to be prosecuted. (25 Feb 1852, p7). 



4.


Detailed opinion of the Board on the Medical Charities Relief Bill, stating that „These 

opinions being opposed to the idea that the execution of the provisions of this law would 

establish a beneficial result‟, and „This Union, pointing back to a period of three or four 

years, was extremely populous, very destitute, and at one time awfully visited with 

disease. However efficient or inefficient might there have been our means of affording 

relief by food, still, it was never questioned that Medical assistance was wanting, nor was 

there then, nor could there have been found any fault in the local provision for Medical 

relief…..‟. 

„In our present position we find ourselves with a comparatively small and very healthy 

population while emigration seems to threaten that the whole population will soon be left 

within the walls of the Poor house, our small insufficient and rigorously exacted rates are 

totally inadequate to our daily wants, while our liabilities are increasing day by day. We 

therefore earnestly hope and confidently request that the Commissioners will not in the 

face of increasing health among decreasing numbers and the daily necessary but unprovided 

wants of the Union compel us to tax the Union in a second rate for salaries and 

medicines when food is wanting for the poor and contractors and officers remain unpaid 

and that the Board protest against the carrying out of the Medical Charities Act as 

unnecessary‟ (25 Feb 1852, pp14-16). 

„…The Board of Guardians thought it was unnecessary to point out to the Commissioners 

the perfect impossibility of collecting any new rate even if the Guardians were disposed to 

strike one, and the palpable injustice it would be to the very few rate payers in this 

deserted and miserable Union who have punctually and at great sacrifices paid the last 

very heavy rate of 5/ and in some cases 5/6 in the pound to re-impose upon them the 

support of this Union after having paid fully the portion which they were liable for, 

particularly when the Guardians made every possible exertions to secure payment of all 

arrears was obtained. The Board assure the Commissioners….but they must most 

respectfully but firmly decline striking any new rate at present as they feel it would create 

an amount of pauperism and emigration which would entirely destroy this Union‟ (3 Mar 

1852, p13). 

Report from the Roundstone Medical Officer advising „…there is a very great increase of 

illness and mortality among the school children, which, in my opinion, is occasioned by the 

want of proper liquid food. This I have repeatedly brought under your notice. It is quite 

obvious that milk cannot be procured in sufficient quantity even for ready money. Ground 

rice, the substitute I recommended and which was agreed upon by your Board and 

sanctioned by the Commissioners has not been supplied for some time back…‟ (20 Mar 

1852, p4c). 

„Resolved that the Commissioners be requested to send down money for the supply of the 

paupers in the workhouse, they being at present without a week‟s supply of provisions, 

there being no funds for the purchasing of more, and the contractors refusing to give 

further supplies without payment‟ (26 May 1852, p11). 

[15.] 



5.


16a. 9 March 1853 - 28 June 1853 Volume of minutes (first ¼ of volume is blank), includes 

„Resolved that the Board have reason to believe the strictness that ought to be used by 

the Officers of the House in preventing paupers from being about the town, and the Board 

being determined to stop such proceedings, they have called the attention of the Master, 

and parties, to the circumstances and directed them in future not to allow any paupers 

outside the House on any pretence whatsoever, except the boys required as messengers 

...‟ (1 June 1853, p13). 

16b. 9 Mar 1853 - 7 July 1853 Volume of Rough Minutes - Closed due to fragile condition 

17. 6 July 1853 - 7 December 1853 Includes: 

Includes list of 21 inmates discharged who were issued with ‘suit of clothes’ (10 Aug 1853, 

p109), giving their name, age, electoral division, and [date of admission], further list 

included in 17 Aug 1853, p129. 

„Ordered that the Clerk do write to the Westport Board of Guardians requesting they will 

send to this Board the sum of £129, appearing due to the Clifden Union by the Final 

adjustment order of the PL Commissioners. 

Mr Hall, PL Inspector brought under the notice of the Board the claim of the Westport 

Union for £22.10, value of meal alleged to have been left in store in Inishbofin Island…‟ 

(p513). 

18. 14 December 1853 – 7 June 1854 Includes:- 

- „Mr Kearnes (Relieving Officer) also informed the Board that he had been served with an 

Eviction notice against 87 families in the Electoral Divisions of [Derryculla] and 

Dunloughan, the notice was signed by Mr John Robertson‟ (p51). 

- „The Master reports that on the morning of Saturday last Samuel [Panes] Esq. P.P. called 

his attention to a woman named Biddy Joyce an inmate of the Infirm Ward whom he found 

crossing the River near the Workhouse with a bottle of milk in her possession which she 

stated belonged to herself and was carrying it to her daughter who was then sick in 

Ardbear‟ (p69). 

- „PL Commissioners‟ letter no. 60,756/53, 29 th Dec., stating that they the PLC being 

responsible, that Medical Aid shall be available when required by the sick poor they cannot 

consent to the proposal of the Board of Guardians to reduce the number of Dispensary 

districts and, consequently, the number of Medical Officers employed therein under the 

Medical Charities Act‟ (p70, see also p73). 

- „That of the 21 persons ordered to be discharged by the Board on the last day the Master 

discharged 10 of them, the remaining 11 could not be discharged in consequence of their 

own clothes not being in the old clothes store and would suggest that the Board do 



6.


procure clothes for them in order to enable the Master to discharge them at once, the 

greater portion of which were admitted as scholars and being a long time in the House 

their own clothes would not fit them‟ (p188). 

- Report from the Medical Officer regarding the conditions of the inmates and requests the 

Board of Guardians to remedy same, advising „…that no time should be lost in putting the 

House in proper order and placing the paupers in such a position as to best enable them 

to resist disease but especially that pestilence (cholera) which is making rapid strides 

towards our Union...‟ (p267). 

- PLC Commissioners „Recommending the Guardians to cause active legal proceedings to 

be taken for the recovery of the rates for which Mr Crawford was collector and if necessary 

to avail themselves of the best professional assistance which they can obtain to effect the 

payment of the rates without further delay‟ (p431). 

19. 14 June 1854 – 6 December 1854 Includes:- 

- Report from the Visiting Committee stating it „was most gratified at the general appearance 

of the entire establishment as well as with the Lunatics, who appeared to be most orderly, 

the Master and other Officers were in their respective places‟ (p226). 

- „Resolved that with relation to the letter on the subject of the emigration of Annie Ryne and 

her children whose husband is now a convict in Australia. 

The attention of the Commissioners be called to the matter, and that they be requested to 

assist the Board in funds for the purposes of forwarding the party to the port of 

embarkation from which port their expenses are to be paid‟ (p291). 

- PLC reply „...that they have no fund applicable to the purpose of assisting the family in 

question to emigrate, etc‟ (p309). 

- „…a report was made to him (Relieving Officer) that a man was found dead on the morning 

of Monday last on the old road near Kylemore Lake. 

He learned the particulars of the case and found that he was a single man of about 25 

years of age, named Patrick Burke, a native of Ballinakill, a lunatic…‟ (p389). 

- „Letter from Mr Burke Workhouse Master stating it was with pain that a sense of public 

duty compelled me to report to you the improper conduct of Mr P Collins, which report has 

been since his removal from office fully borne out as you are aware. 

He never did keep my books but assisted with them until I found some errors in the 

accounts made out by him to which I called the attention of Mr Smith Clerk of the Union, 

who desired me not to permit Mr Collins to interfere with the account in future, since then 

he frequently requested to be allowed to assist with the Books but I at all times refused‟ 

(pp408-409). 

(20.) 



7.


21. 5 December 1855 – 16 November 1856 Includes 

- Poor Law Commissioners whereby they „agreed to the feelings of the Board as regards the 

amalgamation of Clerk and Master. The Guardians wish to express their pleasure at the 

Commissioners having assented to this proposition as they are of opinion the duties will be 

efficiently discharged by one competent Officer….‟(13 Feb 1856,p14). 

- „The Committee appointed to examine into the proposed new Medical Relief District beg to 

report for the information of the Board their opinion of the several objections which they 

consider would make the proposed arrangement a great hardship instead of benefit to the 

inhabitants of the Renvyle Medical Relief District and the reasons for which they would 

recommend the Board to adhere to their former proposition….‟(20 Feb 1856, p11, see also 9 

Apr 1856, pp7-8,9 Jul 1856, p10, 30 Jul 1856, p11). 

- Discussions regarding proposal to „dispense with the services of a local Treasurer‟, and 

favour of using a Bank in Galway instead (27 Feb 1856). 

- Letter from the PLC „stating that from a Report made by Dr Brodie it appears that there is a 

large amount of rates due in the Union and requesting the Board will urge the collector to 

exert themselves with their collections etc‟ (9 May 1856, p8). 

- Letter from Poor Rate Collection stating „that he had been on the property of Mr Lynch of 

[Barna] and that all the tenants rated under four pounds have been instructed by their 

Landlord (as appears to him) not to pay any rate and as he is evidently trying to baffle the 

Board he suggests that the Board will take steps for compelling him to pay his rate‟ (15 Jul 

1856, p8, see also 6 Aug 1856, pp9-10). 

- Extract from report of The District Inspector of Schools stating „Sometime since the Board of 

Guardians came to the resolution of dispensing with the services of a male teacher and of 

requiring the female teacher to discharge all the duty which she has since done, giving three 

hours to the boys and three hours to the girls daily. This arrangement seems to work very 

badly. The literacy proficiency of both boys and girls is at the lowest ebb, and what is still 

worse, all order and decorum seems to have vanished. The boys especially are free from all 

restraint and exercise no respect either for the teacher or any other person. It would require a 

woman of much firmer character than Miss Kelly, the teacher, seems to be, to teach these 

mischievous lads with efficiency. I much fear that until a male teacher is appointed matters 

will become worse and worse‟ (30 Jul 1856, p9). 

- „Resolved that the duties of Matron and Hospital Nurse be amalgamated and that the hospital 

nurse be dispensed with for the future, and that the duties of the hospital nurse be entrusted 

to the Matron along with those she has already to perform. Her salary not to be more than 

£20 a year and first class rations. This can be safely carried out from the reduced number in 

the house‟ 105 (7 Sept 1856, p11, see also 24 Sept 1856, pp8-9). 

- Details of salary payments (1 st Oct 1856, p5). 

- „We propose that a further revision of the paupers of this house take place on this day week 

for the purpose of expelling such of the inmates as shall appear to be able to support 

themselves outside and that the revision take place at 11 o‟clock on said day‟ (29 Oct 1856, 

p11, see also 5 Nov 1856, p8). 

105 

There were 134 inmates in the workhouse at that time. 



8.


- „Stephen Moran an orphan boy 11 years of age applied for workhouse relief stating that he 

wanted to be at school. The Board divided and there appeared for his admission Mr Hart and 

Mr Shea, against his admission Mr Prior and Mr Bodkin. Applicant refused‟ (6 Nov 1856, p10, 

see also 12 Nov 1856, p8). 

- Votes taken on three applications for admission to the workhouse (6 Nov 1856, p11). 

22. 3 December 1856 – 25 November 1857 Includes: 

- „Read letter from M Nally, RO, stating that he had proceeded to Renvyle to enquire relative to 

the deaths of the family named Walsh. He found that Coroner‟s inquests were held and that 

verdicts of „died by the visitation of food‟ was given upon them. They never applied for relief 

(7 Jan 1857, p9). 

- „Ordered that Mr Leslie‟s tender be accepted and that he be called on to provide his Bills in 

the English language, that is to say in the merchantable form‟ (29 Apr 1857, p9). 

23. 2 December 1857 – 8 December 1859 Includes: 

- „A woman named Peggy O‟Donnell went out on pass and did not return, she left her child, 3 

years, in the workhouse‟ (13 Jan 1858, p7). 

- „That Biddy Mongan, an inmate of the Workhouse infirmary called for the R.C. Chaplain on last 

Thursday night, she being in a dangerous state. He (the Master) sent for Chaplain and she 

then stated she wished her religion to be changed from Protestant to Roman Catholic‟ (17 Feb 

1858, p7). 

- „Read letter from Porter of Workhouse requesting the Board would allow him some meat, as 

he is the only Officer now in the Workhouse who is not allowed meat ration. 

Ordered that he get 4lbs of meat weekly‟ 17 Dec 1858, p9). 

- „Ordered that the Commissioners be requested to send a Clerk from their office to close the 

old Union a/cs, which it is hoped will be done in a few weeks by the aid of the Union Clerk, 

who will be directed to give his undivided assistance to aid the Commissioners‟ Clerk, as the 

Union is still [___] poor‟ (14 Jul 1858, p9). 

- „Medical Officer reports that the clothes worn by Thomas Early (a boy who was taken out of 

the Workhouse some time since by a man named Luke King) are in such a state of filth, and 

dirt and vermin that they ought to be at once burned as they are dangerous to the inmates of 

the workhouse. I have also to draw the attention of the Board to the miserable state this boy 

came into the House, half starved, and covered with vermin from head to foot, the Board 

should take steps to prosecute the person who treated the unfortunate boy in this manner‟. 

„Ordered that the clothes be burned and that the Master be directed to have information sworn 

in this case and the party treating the boy so cruelly prosecuted according to law‟. (28 Jul 

1858, p7). 



9.


- „The Master reports that on the morning of the 29 th ult a child apparently about a week old was 

brought to the Workhouse by a Policeman and a woman who stated she found the child near a 

cock of hay in Ardbear that morning. 

I request the Board will inform me what name he is to be called and what religion etc. 

Order that the child be baptised by the name of Anthony Hay by the Roman Catholic Chaplin‟ 

(4 Aug 1858, p7). 

- Includes list of contractors for various articles, such as pepper, rice, sugar, starch, tea, soap 

(29 Sept 1858, p9). 

- „Resolved that the thanks of this Board are due and hereby tendered to Mr McDermott of the 

PLC office, Dublin for the very satisfactory and businesslike manner in which he has brought 

the a/cs of the former Clifden Union to a close as well as for the courtesy with which he has 

explained the different items comprised in these and the other a/cs of the Union‟ 13 Oct 1858, 

p9). 

- „Read letter from Secretaries of National Education forwarding extracts from Inspector‟s 

reports; 

The teacher‟s qualifications are middling and her method of conducting the school is pretty 

fair. 

The numbers in the school are very small and the children, with one or two exceptions are 

very young and nearly all in first and second works. 

The new teacher appears to be more careful and anxious for the children‟s improvement than 

her predecessor, though much inferior in literacy attainment and I have to observe that 

sufficient attention is not paid by the proper officer to the cleanliness of the boys who are 

allowed to retire to bed for a week or more without washing their feet‟ (17 November 1858, 

p9). 

- „That M. Evans having asked for her discharge with her four children and being now in the 

workhouse for over three years and having no clothing of their own that a sum of 15/0 be 

allowed to purchase five suits of clothes for them‟ (1 Dec 1858, p9). 

24. 14 December 1858 – 28 March 1860 Includes: 

- „The House appears clean and well ventilated. The paupers appear healthy... Also the food for 

healthy inmates is simply composed of water and oatmeal and it may be well to consider the 

propriety of using some coarse meat in its preparation which we have no doubt would tend to 

diminish the number of patients in the hospital at present‟ (22 Jun 1859, p7). 

- „The following report was read from Medical Officer of Workhouse; 

“My attention has been called to the attention in the dietary recommended by the Visiting 

Committee, that meat should be added to the soup on certain days in the week for the paupers 

generally, such as sheep‟s heads, [calf‟s] heads and other coarse parts. It would render the 

soup more nutritious and would diminish in some degree the numbers on the hospital wards, at 

present there are six persons on the hospital wards [___] them to enjoy a better dietary than 

the House affords [___ ] are aged and infirm, at the same time I would recommend that the 

aged and infirm do receive [___] bread and milk for breakfast in lieu of stir-about and white 

bread, and meat soup three or four times in the week for dinner, and white bread and milk the 

remaining days. On the whole it would be advisable to allow meat in the soup for the paupers 



10.


in the body of the house generally on three or four days in the week. Of the 35 cases at present 

in Hospital, 31 [came into] the House sick and went direct to the Hospital. 

I would also recommend the milk for classes 4, 5 & 6 for supper, as suggested in PLC‟s letter of 

4 th inst…”‟(6 Jul 1859, p9). 

- „Notice of Motion 

“I hereby give notice that consequent upon the continued excessive high rates of this Union, 

which appear to be increasing instead of diminishing and over which I feel there is no control I 

or some other members competent to do so will on this day fortnight, move that an 

amalgamation of either Oughterard with this Union or this Union with Galway shall take place 

and the Commissioners be requested to give this important subject their kind consideration as 

most competent to assist us in this matter”, signed M. R. Hart‟, (10 Aug 1859, p10). 

- „Notice of Motion 

“I hereby give notice that I will on this day fortnight bring forward a resolution that all the women 

having bastard children in the House be questioned as to who is the father of same and that the 

names of said fathers be placed up on a conspicuous part of the Board Room over the fire 

place in large class writing and be kept always there for general information”‟ (5 October 1859, 

p10). 

- „We have visited the House – the children‟s schoolroom and dormitory – we are of opinion that 

from the great size of both [they] are too cold for the number of children in the school. We 

recommend that a partition be erected in each and that they be reduced to a suitable size for 

the number of children in them, which will make the rooms more compact, and warm. We also 

recommend that the floor in one of the temporary sheds which are now rotting and sinking into 

the earth be raised at once and that they be used in making partitions so required, this will save 

what remains of the boards from rotting and save considerable expense‟ (22 Febr 1860 106 , p6- 

7) 

- „Master reports that the infirm men in the workhouse at present are not able to work or 

discharge the dung from the dung pit. He would suggest the propriety of employing 3 or 4 men 

for one week and particularly of the Guardians‟ intent on sowing potatoes in the laundry yard‟ 

(21 Mar 186, p7). 

25. 4 April 1860 – 31 October 1860 Includes: 

- „The grandmother and mother of John Grehan having applied for his discharge, it was 

Proposed that this boy John Grehan be allowed to remain in the house till the Relieving Officer 

will make inquiry as to whether the grandmother will and is able to support the boy, and report 

on next Board day‟ (2 May 1860, p9; see subsequent entries including 23 May 1860, p8). 

- „That the situation of Matron and Schoolmistress be amalgamated and that Matron be 

appointed to take charge of the school from this date subject to the approval of Doctor Brodie‟ 

(9 May 1860, p9). 

- „Ordered That Mary Carroll being taking her discharge and she being in the House several 

years she get a suit of clothes not to exceed 5/10‟ (6 Jun 1860, p11). 

106 At that time there were 8 girls aged between 9-15 in the workhouse, 4 children between 5-9 and 10 between 2-5, and also 25 

infants under 2 years. 



11.


- „Ordered that Peter West having applied for his discharge to go to service to John [Hemie] 

having a proper person to take him into service the boy be discharged and John [Hemie] be 

directed to take proper care of him‟ (27 Jun 1860, p10). 

- „Ordered that Bridget Conneely wishing to take her discharge to go to service and she being 

living in the Workhouse since a child and having no clothes of her own she get a suit of clothes 

not to exceed 4/10‟ (1 Aug 1860, p11). 

- „Medical Officer reports that Robert Kane a Lunatic in the workhouse for sometime is now in a 

position to be forwarded to the Ballinasloe Lunatic Asylum, and thinks it would be desirable to 

have him removed as soon as possible. If the Board approve he will furnish the necessary 

forms etc‟ (5 Sept 1860, p7). 

- „Notice of Motion That the Collection of rates in Clifden Union be equalised among the present 

three collectors as is the case generally in other Unions. One collector having only four 

Electoral Divisions while the other two have fifteen between them was proposed…‟ (5 Sept 

1860, p9). 

- „PLC letter „…Relative to Board‟s resolution directing that the Mothers of illegitimate children be 

sent to a separate ward and stating that the Guardians should not place any woman in a ward 

apart from the other female inmates of the workhouse unless for impropriety of language or 

demeanour on her part etc‟ (24 Oct 1860, p9) (See also GPL3/30, f115). 

26. 7 November 1860 – 5 June 1861 Includes 

- „The clothing of the Paupers is very deficient and as the weather is cold and severe the 

Board‟s attention is called, if not the health of the paupers will suffer. The quantity of turf 

should also be increased‟ (19 Dec 1960, f43). 

- „Resolved that the paupers be supplied with the usual meat dinner on Christmas day not to 

exceed £4.0.0 and that the Clerk be directed to attend at same‟ (19 Dec 1860, f44). 

- „The attention of the Board of Guardians is requested to a lunatic of the name of Michael 

Kilmartin admitted on the 7 th inst. He exhibits a tendency to do violence and it is unsafe to 

have him at large, there is no proper way to confine a lunatic in the workhouse or submit him 

to treatment likely to be beneficial. Immediate steps should be taken to have him removed to 

Ballinasloe lunatic asylum‟ (f103). 

- „Matron reports from the increase of inmates in the House which adds to my duty in every 

respect the quantity of clothing I am obliged to cut out and get made together with the 

repairing of old clothes (with little or no assistance) occupies the greater part of my time, when 

I took charge of the school at the request of the Guardians there were only 13 children, there 

are now 21 on rolls and other children which should be classed. 

I must respectfully beg to inform the Board that I cannot discharge the entire duties as Matron 

and Teacher‟ (21 February 1862, f113). 

- „Ordered That the Clerk take steps to have the Deaf and Dumb girl Mary McDonagh forwarded 

to the Roman Catholic Institution for Deaf and Dumb mutes with as much despatch as he can‟ 

(f114, see also f144). 



12.


- „Master reports there was a woman named Mary Williams admitted to the Workhouse on 

Saturday night last who was completely out of her mind, from her violence she had to be tied, 

put into the probationary ward, and two able bodied women kept night and day in close 

attendance on her. He also begs leave to state he went to the Courthouse on yesterday in 

order to have her committed to jail but there being but one magistrate present no committal 

could be got. Begs Board‟s directions in the matter. 

Ordered That the Master hold over this woman until a warrant can be obtained the best way 

he can‟ (p133). 

- „Notice of Motion: I shall on this day three weeks move that the Doctor be directed to visit the 

Island of Bofin periodically, say at least once a month or to make such other arrangements as 

may secure proper medical attendance to the people of the island‟ (3 Apr 1861, f165, see also 

ff194-195). 

- „The Medical Officer reports that there was an entire family of 8 persons admitted from Clifden, 

six of them suffering from fever who were at once admitted to Hospital as there seems a 

tendency for fever to increase both in Clifden and the country part and as there may be many 

more applicants for admission to Hospital by parties suffering from fever it is necessary to use 

the utmost precaution to prevent the spread of the disease and to make the necessary 

preparations for treating such cases as may be admitted…‟ (5 Jun 1861, f253). 

27. 1 January 1862 – 2 July 1862 Includes: 

- „Ordered - That from this day forth we strictly order that any woman within the walls of this 

house having a bastard child shall not be placed in any office, or hold any supervision in any 

department whatsoever under suspension of the Officer who shall so place her‟ (f15). 

- „In consequence of the fearful increase of applications for admission into this workhouse of 

women with illegitimate children and the fact of such women in many cases having more than 

2 illegitimate children, I will on this day fortnight propose a Resolution that our county 

members be called on to bring such facts before parliament with a view to amend the Laws 

relative to the support of illegitimate children‟ (15 Jan 1862, f25). 

- „Master begs leave to state there is neither turf nor coal in the House for the coming week...‟ 

(f34). 

- „Order. That a temporary shed be erected in [___] yard to be used as a privy and the Master 

cautioned to see to the sanitary condition of the House in future…‟ (f55). 

- Letter from the Relieving Officer, Con King, to the Board relating to the administering of 

„outdoor relief to parties in the Island of Bofin. I regret that any answer I might have given to 

Dr Brodie on this subject should have led the Commissioners to consider that I was not 

cognisant of the powers I possessed as Relieving Officer. I was aware of the [length] to which 

I might go but it is so long since outdoor relief was been administered in this Union and there 

being plenty of room in the Workhouse I offered it in the first instance but I would by no means 

take a person to the Workhouse that I considered would be injured by the removal or required 

immediate assistance and I will take care in future to attend to this matter strictly‟ (f115). 



13.


- „Ordered that the Workhouse rules with regard to mothers and their children be strictly carried 

out from this forth. That any child two years and upwards to be kept entirely apart from their 

mothers under pain of dismissal of the Officer whose duty it will be to attend to this order‟ 

(f145). 

- Complaint about the neglect of the Relieving Officer, P Joyce, of the Cleggan and Letterfrack 

districts, relating to the case of „Thomas Coneys deceased and that of Myles King, Cleggan‟. 

In the case of Coneys it was reported that Joyce „admitted the deceased to be so weak that he 

could not be safely removed and still refused to give him any nourishment whatsoever saying 

he had no power to do so until he would first represent the case to the Board. I have heard 

with regret that on being pressed for some relief for the sick man he remarked that he was so 

weak that it was useless to give him anything‟. 

Following enquiry the Board found that the RO had „acted rightly‟ (ff146-147). 

- „Master reports that two boys, John Grehan and Peter West both, deserted from Workhouse 

through the boys‟ dayroom windows between 8 and 9 o‟clock am on yesterday….This morning 

the Head Constable sent for him (Master) to accompany him to the Rev. M. D‟arcy (of the 

Mission schoolhouse) where the boys were and given up to the police‟ (f183). 

- „Resolved that finding the cost of paupers in this House being considerably more than it is in 

other Unions around us and also finding that the rates are equally high we request the 

Commissioners will send us a competent officer to go over the accounts of the Union and 

inform the Board as to how the cost of paupers as well as the rates can be so high the Board 

consent to pay a reasonable sum for so doing‟ (f215). 

- Discharge of Bridget Mullen and her child (f224). 

- Discharge of Anne Toole (f224). 

28. 9 July 1862 – 25 March 1863 Includes: 

- „Mary Finnegan a violent and dangerous lunatic was admitted into the workhouse on the 1 st . 

As there is no ward in the workhouse for properly securing and treating lunatics, I would 

recommend that information be taken against the woman and have her committed to jail, in the 

meantime I have confined in the female probationary ward in charge of two women‟ (p107). 

- „Seven women with illegitimate children are directed to be discharged on next Petty Session 

day with a view to their appearing before the Magistrate and making affirmation as to the 

Fathers of their children‟ (p151). 

- „Resolved: In accepting Dr Jordan‟s resignation of his situation of assistant Medical Attendant 

for the islands of Inishbofin and Shark we have much pleasure in bearing our testimony to the 

very efficient and successful manner in which he had discharged his duties, to the unanimous 

(blank) and the great satisfaction which he has given to the Board and the ratepayers in 

general. We are gratified to find that he has obtained a highly respectable, and we trust a 

remunerative appointment elsewhere‟ (p169). 

- Resolution from the Clifden Dispensary Committee stating „That we are of opinion that a 

resident Medical Officer is necessary in the islands of Inishbofin and Shark at a moderate 

salary‟ (p289). 

- „Read letter from Mr Con King, Relieving Officer, stating that in accordance with the directions 

of the Board he visited the island Inishbofin on the 12 th inst, went carefully through the island 



14.


visiting all the families likely to be in want of food, 8 families were supplied with provisional 

relief and several others to whom he gave provisional tickets of admission to the workhouse, 

all of whom refused to avail themselves of such relief. 

The state of the Island is healthy and he learned from the Medical Officer that there is no 

epidemic disease. It is probably the distress will be much felt from the next few months and 

will require a resident Relieving Officer on the island, there is nothing in the way of bread, rice 

or necessaries for the sick on the island‟ (p429). 

- „There are at present 23 cases of fever in the workhouse fever hospital, the greater number of 

these have been admitted from the Town of Clifden and neighbourhood and as fever seems 

disposed to spread no doubt there will be many new cases seeking admission. 

It will be therefore necessary for the proper treatment of the pauper patients to have the 

hospital in the most efficient state possible. It will be necessary to procure a proper supply of 

sheeting of which there is a short supply, also all other necessaries such as straw bedding etc. 

The fever is as yet of a mild type and there have been no deaths but it is impossible to say 

how long this may continue but to ensure it as much as possible no means within our reach 

should be omitted‟ (18 Mar 1863, pp487-488). 

(29.) 

30. 4 November 1863 – 6 April 1864 Includes:- 

- „That from this day forth no pauper shall leave the House without a written pass from the 

Master who will make his report on next Board day after issuing such pass to the Board, 

except Michael Conneely and James Mullen who are now named as messengers and none 

else…‟ (f5). 

- „Master reports that Mary Vaughan was recommended by the Magistrate to be turned out of 

workhouse. 

Order To be discharged‟ (f114). 

- „Read letter from Mr Geo Brennan relative to cultivation of flax in the Union. 

Resolved that Mr Brennan‟s letter relative to the encouragement of the growth of flax in this 

Union in which the poor are struggling under an over taxation and high rents without public 

employment of any kind and very little private [___] [_____] wages be considered on this day 

fortnight…‟ (f135). 

- „Resolved that we consider the Resolution of the Board on the 10 th day of February relative to 

the abolition of the Church establishment as entirely out of place and calculated to create a 

religious discord in this Board and not to promote the due and important fulfilment of the 

several duties of each individual forming this Board….‟ (f148). 

- Notice of motion proposing the reduction in the salaries of the Officers (f148, see also f166, 

f195, f217). 



15.



- „Ordered That a Return be laid before the Board on this day fortnight of all the parties ordered 

to be prosecuted as putative fathers of illegitimate children for the last 12 months and what 

steps have been taken in each case the name of the other to be given in every instance‟ (f25). 

- „Resolved That Peter Lynch having stated before the Board on the 6 th inst that the Master was 

drunk on a certain day that the Master be required to give a full explanation to this Board on 

this day week‟ (f125, see also ff246-248). 

- „Resolved That the hospital nurse be at once dismissed in consequence of impertinence to the 

Chairman and Board and also stating that she knew of bad things being done in the House but 

refusing to tell the Board what these things were‟ (p176, see also ff186-187, f195). 

32. 19 October 1864 – 19 April 1865 Includes: 

- „In accordance with the directions of the Board I have looked through the females of the 

workhouse and I find none suitable as ward maids for the Hospital except some who have had 

illegitimate children. The master informs me there is an order against them being employed 

and the medical officer desires to bring the matter under the notice of the Board as very 

serious inconvenience is felt by the want of proper hospital attendants‟ (f4). 

- „Master reports that Ellen Herman was sentenced to one month‟s imprisonment in Galway Jail 

for breach of Workhouse rules‟ (f124). 

- „Ordered that Catherine Melody having refused to swear information against the putative father 

of her child be discharged‟ (f146). 

- „Mary King, John Flaherty & Mary Mullen who were lately admitted, the two former had each 

/10, the later 11 /1/3d. We had them searched before reaching their respective places. 

Ordered to be placed to the credit of the Union for their support‟ (f154). 

- „Ordered that Michael Walsh have 7/6 spent on clothing on his going to service with Mr Coyne 

of [Currywongaun] and that John Nally have same on going to service with Michael King of 

Errislannon‟ (f155). 

- „Ordered that John Flaherty be refunded the 3/0 found in his possession on entering the 

workhouse after deducting the expense of his support while in the House‟ (f165). 

33. 3 May 1865 – 10 January 1866 Includes: 

- Letter from the Secretaries of Education forwarding extracts from District Inspector‟s report 

which included „….The teacher, Miss Reilly entered the current course of training in the 

Marlboro Street establishment but has not been permitted to complete the term which is much 

to be regretted. School on the whole taken progressively‟ (f25). 

- Extract of letter from the Protestant Chaplain, Rev. Campbell regarding a little boy entered in 

the Register as Protestant but who informs him „“I would like to be a Catholic”’ and asking „Am 

I to be watched lest I should unsettle the faith of a Roman Catholic with full reasoning powers 

and yet be unable to guard little children in the Protestant faith…‟ (f46). 



16.


- Various entries relating to the administration of vaccines under the compulsory vaccine 

scheme, such as f55. 

- „The Medical Officer desires to bring under the notice of the Board the state of the sewage of 

the workhouse. Some of drains have become choked and would require to be opened and 

cleaned out. This is necessary for the sanitary state of the House and should be immediately 

attended to‟ (f124). 

- „Pat Conneely 107 who was taken here by the Mission agents wishes to become a R Catholic. 

He refused to go out with the parties who took him here. His father called here on yesterday 

and desired to have the boy‟s religious denomination changed from Protestant to Roman 

Catholic. 

Ordered. That the putative father be prosecuted‟ (f134, see also f145 &, f155). 

34. 24 January 1866 – 5 September 1866 Includes:- 

- Notice of Motion to „...request that the Commissioners be requested to remove from the 

Clifden Dispensary District the Island of Bofin and have it formed into a separate district or 

otherwise have it annexed to the Renvyle Dispensary District. the said Island of Bofin having 

no claim whatever on the Clifden District, it being a portion of the County of Mayo‟ (f165). 

- „An illegitimate child named Peter Jennings born in the workhouse (now three and a half years 

old) and then charged to the Electoral Division to which the mother belonged, the mother and 

child frequently left the House and returned again, but are said to be 30 months in the House 

out of the three and a half years. 

The child has been now admitted on its own account as deserted. It was never in the Division 

to which the mother belonged. 

The Board requests the Commissioners will be good enough to say whether the child is now 

chargeable to the Union at large or to the electoral division to which the mother was 

chargeable when in the house‟ (f175, see also f185). 

- „Ordered That Honor Conneely be discharged for refusing to swear information against the 

father of her illegitimate child and prosecuted for destroying the Union property‟ (f176). 

- Minutes relating to the absence of the inmate Margaret Mulkerrins (f236). 

35. 26 September 1866 – 15 May 1867 Includes: 

- „Ordered That Rose Martin, being able-bodied and plenty of work going on outside the 

workhouse at present, be discharged‟ (f114, see also f214). 

- Transcript of letter from Dr Browne MD, County Infirmary, Surgeon, Professor Queen‟s 

College, Galway, regarding the medical condition of Dr Suffield, Medical Officer for Clifden 

Dispensary District (f126, see also ff196-197, see also ff256-257 and GPL3/36, f5, f15, f75, 

f85, and GPL3/37, f195 & f225, GPL3/38, ff65-67). 

107 Born in the workhouse to Kate Davin on 11 Jan 1858, baptized a RC. 



17.


- Query regarding the chargeability of Peter Nee, his wife and family (f198, see also f215). 

- Minute regarding the registered religion of inmate Michael Walsh [aged 12 years] (f215, see 

also ff225-226 and f235). 

- „Resolved that the Board of Guardians of this Union respectfully call the attention of the 

Commissioners to the present distress now prevailing in this Union, almost bordering on 

famine, with a view that the Government would take some steps to alleviate it as the 

Guardians feel they will not be able to cope with the distress now existing‟ (f236). 

- Minute regarding chargeability of inmate Bartley Walsh (f247, see also GPL£/36, f5). 

- „Resolved that the attention of Government be called to the great benefit that would be derived 

from making a tramway from Galway to Clifden by which considerable employment could now 

be given to the poor labouring classes who are in a most wretchedly distressed state as the 

government is now aware…‟ (f256). 

36. 22 May 1867 – 11 December 1867 Includes: 

- „Ellen Kirwan, 2 yrs of age, went through the window of the girls‟ schoolroom. Master sent 

after her and brought her back‟ (f4). 

- „John Joyce, 11 yrs, and Pat Conneely,12 yrs, went through the windows…‟ (f4). 

- „Rose Martin burned form on the 18 th last. Master had her taken down and would have her 

locked up but she took a fit‟ (f4). 

- „May Glinne and Anne Conneely were fighting on the 18 th ...‟ (f4). 

- Includes report from the Relieving Officer on Inishbofin (ff6-7) and subsequent reports on 

Bofin & Shark which advised, „I have also visited the island of Shark and found no cases of 

sickness in it. There were a good many able-bodied people applied to me for relief. I gave 

them provisional tickets of admission to the workhouse and offered them a conveyance which 

they also refused to avail themselves of‟ (f26). 

- Catherine Finnegan and Kitty Lydon town inmates… (f154). 

- Includes the names of able-bodied inmates discharged, Mary O‟Loughin, Kitty O‟Brien, 

Joseph O‟Donnell and Thomas King (f196). 

- Query regarding the chargeability of inmate James Murray, his wife Mary aged 30 and 

children, Mary, Anne and Catherine aged 7, 4 and 11 years (f215), who had been in Scotland 

for a period of time. 



18.


37. 18 December 1867– 22 July 1868 Includes: 

- „Ordered That the interior of the entire workhouse be painted and that tenders for painting be 

advertised for….‟ (f128, see also GPL3/38, f96). 

- Minutes relating to the proposed increase in salaries for the Medical Officers ff126127, 146, 

165. 

- Anne Clancy, deaf & dumb child transferred to Institution for the Deaf and Dumb at Cabra, 

Dublin, (f226, see also GPL3/41, f184)). 

38. 29 July 1868 – 3 March 1869 Closed until repaired Includes:- 

- „Resolved That in consequence of the very great expenditure caused to this Union by means 

of the number of illegitimate children, that we order that immediate proceedings be taken 

against the putative fathers of such, as is deemed judicious with the view of putting a stop to 

such conduct‟ (f25). 

- Minutes relating to request for sworn inquiry relating to charges of negligence against Dr 

Painter of Inishbofin for his negligence in attending to named urgent cases, such as „Case 10 

Margaret Murray, Inishark 16 August 1868 a most urgent case childbirth. Dr Painter refused to 

attend‟ (f26, also f36). 

- Notice of Motion that the „Commissioners be respectfully requested to have the qualification 

for the office of Poor Law Guardian in their Union reduced from £30 a year to £15 pa yr, there 

being several electoral divisions in this Union in which a person rated 30 pounds per year 

cannot be had in qualified to represent the division as Guardian of the poor‟ (f97). 

- Details of repairs to be carried out to the workhouse (f154). 

- Report on the school (f195). 

- Report from the Clerk, John Burke, and Dr Roughan‟s report for „an idea of the state of 

matters existing [in the] establishment‟ and for the „enforcement of proper classification of the 

inmates… and the introduction of cleanliness and discipline, over 3 persons voluntary took 

their discharge from the workhouse in two days rather than part with their grown children or 

confirn themselves to their respective departments‟ (f265). 

- „Resolved: That in consequence of many irregularities having occurred in the Clifden Union up 

to this date, and in order to correct the same that it be required of three of the Guardians who 

shall chance to be in the House once a week to visit the entire House and report any errors 

that may have occurred during the lapse of a week and also to take stock as of as it maybe be 

considered necessary at least 4 times a year‟ (f266). 

39. 12 March 1869 – 20 October 1869 Closed (fragile) 



19.


40. 3 November 1869 – 22 June 1870 Includes:- 

- „…the Board resolved to allocate £5 towards the maintenance of the Deaf Mute Anne Clancy 

the parents having undertaken to pay £2.10.0 towards the expense for current half year at the 

Cabra Institution‟ (f85). 

- „That Matthew [Shanley] be discharged from the workhouse, Martin Coyne having taken him to 

his service and that he get a suit of clothing having out-grown his own‟ (f94). 

- Extract of letter regarding the „deplorable conditions of the population of these Islands, namely 

Bofin and Shark‟ (f165). 

41. 6 July 1870 – 22 March 1871 Includes: 

- „Resolved that in reply to the Commissioners‟ letter of 17 th inst No. 250 on the subject of the 

appointment of a “Poor Law Union apothecary” for all Ireland we reiterate the views held by the 

Board on this day week via that the course pursued by the PLC on the appointment of such an 

officer will be of the deepest importance and is calculated to do invaluable services both to the 

sick poor and the ratepayer generally and we sincerely hope the PLC will by all means carry 

out the project and give it a fair trial‟ (f164). 

42. 5 April 1871 – 27 December 1871 

43. 3 January 1872 – 2 October 1872 

44. 30 October 1872 – 9 July 1873 Includes: 

- „That deep distress, arising from want of fuel and food, prevails at present throughout the 

district of Connemara, that as residents we can state without the slightest fear of contradiction, 

we have no hesitation in stating that there, is not one tenth the quantity of potatoes to be found 

that was last year, and that even this small portion from its not having come the maturity, is 

believed to be unfit for seed. 

That the corn, from the long continued rains, is utterly useless for seed or food, and that from a 

like reason there is an utter dearth of fuel. 

That we therefore deem it our duty to earnestly call the attention of the Government to the 

serious state of things, with the view of them devising some adequate means of relief for the 

people by opening some source of employment, as all local efforts would be ineffectual‟ 

(pp149-150). 

- ‟Resolved that Dr Brodie having drawn the Board‟s attention to the Local Government Board‟s 

letter no. 7294 “relative to the destitution arising from want of fuel”, the Board beg to state that 

no local effort has been made by the gentry in this country for the alleviation of the distress now 

existing here as stated in the resolution of 29 th January 1873‟ (p189). 



20.


45. 30 July 1873 – 1 July 1874 Includes: 

- „The Chairman and other Guardians having visited Ardbear grave yard, decided on taking a 

portion of the field at £4 per statue acre‟ (p109, see also p149). 

- „The Clerk submitted five applications from women with illegitimate children. 

Ordered that the Relieving Officers serve the putative fathers of the illegitimate children at 

present in the workhouse with an account of the cost of said children and require them to pay 

up same‟ (pp168-9). 

- Letter from Dr Brodie stating „...that he attended a woman in labour on the island of Bofin who if 

he had not gone would have died as it was only by performing an operation he saved her life‟ 

(pp209-10). 

- „Order that in the event of all future deaths of paupers in the House whose remains are not 

claimed by their friends be interred in the cemetery attached to the Union for that purpose‟ 

(p228). 

- „Ordered: That we advertise for a Doctor for the Islands at Inishbofin and Shark for this day 

month at a salary of £60 pa exclusive of registration and vaccination fees. Meanwhile that the 

Relieving Officer be directed to attend to any urgent cases requiring medical relief‟ (p248). 

- „Ordered that we accept Mr Eyre‟s proposal to sell the land required for the graveyard at 

Ardbear for £250 and that the Local Government Board be requested for permission to raise 

the funds necessary for carrying out the provisions of the Burial Acts in reference to the new 

cemetery‟ (pp248-249, see also GPL3/48, f166). 

- „In addition to the £250 for the purchase of the land a further sum of £250 will be required for 

buildings and enclosing this and other cemeteries. 

Sum required £500‟ (p288, see also p329). 

- „Ordered that Mrs King [Matron] (who assaulted another workhouse inmate) be sent before the 

Magistrates with a request that information be taken against her‟ (p430). 

- A report from Dr Brodie (LG Inspector) relating to an outbreak of fever in Bofin (May 1784, 

p451). 

- „Having heard from Mr J McDonnell, PLG, on Saturday evening last that Dr Brodie of 

Letterfrack was lying ill of fever caught in the discharge of his duties at Inishbofin and that he 

was attended by a clergyman on the previous evening. 

I considered it desirable to procure medical relief for the 8 cases of Fever in Bofin. I asked Dr 

Payne to proceed with me to the island ….we proceeded to sea in the Coast Guard boat and 

after spending nearly five hours without getting more than half way to the Island we were 

reluctantly obliged to return. Same evening, to my surprise, Dr Brodie called to say that his 

illness was merely temporary, that he had been in Bofin on Thursday previous and that seven 

out of the 8 cases of fever were convalescent…‟ (p469). 



21.


46. 8 July 1874 – 5 May 1875 Includes: 

- „Ordered that Mary Conneely and her 3 children be discharged from the workhouse, her 

husband and two sons being in receipt of wages outside‟ (p209). 

- „Ordered that the Clerk get the usual meat dinner etc on Xmas day for the inmates not to 

exceed £5.0.0‟ (p271). 

- „Ordered that Bridget Brennan and Bridget Folan being able-bodied paupers be discharged 

with their families, their husbands being outside‟ (p369). 

- „Master reports that two women named Kate Finegan and Biddy Faherty were fighting in the 

dining hall on the 1 st inst‟ (p387). 

- „Master reports that a man named Michael King, of Aughrisbeg, offered a girl, Jan Irwin, eight 

shillings a quarter and she refused to go. 

The applicant to come before the Board before the girl is sent out‟ (p447). 

[47]. 

48. 5 April 1876 – 10 January 1877 Includes: 

- „Master reports that Pat Walsh of [ Lane] offered service to a boy named Thomas Kerrigan at 

7 shillings per quarter. 

To be allowed 8 shillings to buy clothes‟ f44). 

- „An inmate named Stephen Laffey absconded from workhouse on the 2 nd inst., he being clad 

in a suit of Union clothes. 

Information to be made before a Magistrate if Laffey does not return‟ (f44). 

- „Read letter from Michael Mellet an able-bodied inmate of the workhouse stating that if given 

a trousers, shirt and vest, his own being mere rags previous to his admission he would 

endeavour to earn a livelihood in future…‟(f45). 

- „The general population of the poorer classes do not usually wear shoes and the Medical 

Officer has not made any representation to the effect that the absence of shoes interferes in 

any way with the health of the inmates‟ 

The Master has no doubt been somewhat inaccurate in his manner of keeping the Provisions 

account but the Board are glad to say that they have noticed an evident improvement in this 

respect, they have reprimanded him in reference to his want of supervision of the privies and 

he has promised increased attention in this respect as well as to his general discharge of 

duty‟ (f66). 

- „Read draft deed for £1,200 for Burial purposes, which was duly signed by the Chairman and 

two Guardians, counter signed by the Clerk and Seal of the Union affixed‟ (f85). 

- „Ordered that a sum of £80 be expended in painting the House inside and out with two coats 

of paint. The outside with mineral patent paint, the inside with best oil paint in conformity with 

the specification in Mr Burke‟s (Clerk) possession‟ (f105, see also f155). 



22.


- „The Master was directed to look after the workhouse cemetery and a letter was read from Mr 

Beauchamp, Solicitor, relative to the transfer of Ardbear grave yard and Mr Edwin J. Eyre 

undertook to have it completed in a few days‟ (f166, see also f245). 

- Letter to the LGB advised „It is true that there has not been any neglect by the Clerk reported 

as that officer is most efficient and attentive to the discharge of his duties and in reference to 

the failure of the Guardians to form a quorum for the discharge of business so frequently . 

The LGB should be reminded of the peculiar nature of the district, the great distances 

between the workhouse and the residences of the Guardians and the difficulty of travelling 

long distances in the country in tempestuous weather. 

The Visiting Committee‟s report forms no accurate data of the amount of visiting work 

discharged by the Guardians inasmuch as many visits are made through the House by the 

Guardians and suggestions and directions given to the Master and other officers in reference 

to the comfort and health of the poor inmates, but of which no record is made. 

The reference to the paragraph which comments upon the inmates not being provided with 

shoes. The Guardians beg to say that persons of a similar class to those referred to who are 

maintaining themselves outside the workhouse do not wear shoes and the Guardians 

consider it inexpedient to supply shoes to such as never have worn shoes when maintaining 

themselves, but in every case of an infirm or delicate person being recommended shoes by 

the Medical Officer, shoes are at once supplied….‟ (ff215-216). 

- „The position of the intended sewer pipes is the present bed of the open drain which takes the 

sewage of a portion of the Town of Clifden to the low water mark of the Owenglen River, 

which at that part of its course is an estuary of the sea and not therefore a stream or 

watercourse within the meaning of Sec. 11 of the Sewage Utilization Act 1865, but on the 

contrary, as the same has been always used for the conveyance of sewage from the town of 

Clifden it is of the character comprised in the description contained in Sec. 22 of the Nuisance 

Removal Act 1855 (f245). 

(49.) 

50. 22 May 1878 – 9 April 1879 Includes: 

- „Ordered that in reply to LGB in reference to the evictions at Inishbofin the Board of Guardians 

have to say that as Mr Allies is the owner of the whole Electoral Division and pays about “five 

sixths” of its rates they hardly think there would be any very great advantage to the Electoral 

Division by recovering the price of £20 or whatever portion might be ordered of this sum from 

Mr Allies in the first instance and then relieving him in his rate, however if the LGB think it 

desirable the Guardians will give instructions to their Solicitor to proceed under the Act for 

recovering same‟ (p29, see also p48). 

- LGB letter „…relative to the case of Mary McDonagh and stating that unless the Master, 

Matron and Hospital Nurse tender their resignations at next meeting a sealed order will issue 

for their dismissal‟ (p30 & p35). 

- „Ordered that tenders advertised for the drainage works and pump for Roundstone be made 

for this day month‟ (p69). 

- Details of salaries paid to staff members (p165). 



23.


- „Mr Conry has offered a boy named Bartley McDona (McDonagh) 7 shillings per quarter, 

should the Board grant him a suit of clothes‟ (p287). 

- Letter from the Sanitary Sub-Officer [Geoghegan] advising that „Festy McDonnell…was fined 

at Letterfrack on the 2 nd inst for refusing to comply with a Justice‟s Order to remove his child 

to hospital who was suffering from infectious disease…‟ (p319). 

- „Inishbofin Medical Officer [Fox] advised the Board that „…Honor Cunnane a homeless 

destitute un-befriended creature met her death on Nov 27 th from the indirect cause of actual 

want and deprivation. There being no one to take her to the Infirmary, no one to get her relief, 

she lay on the cold ground for weeks and died the subject of unprotected inhumanity and 

sheer neglect…‟ (pp328-329). 

- „Inishbofin Medical Officer (Fox) advised the Board that „…There are destitute persons on the 

Island at present, a creature named Bridget Cunnane has for some time back been suffering 

from lunacy, and it is necessary to have her removed to an asylum. There is a very urgent 

want of main sewers in all the villages here, there are 14 families at present suffering from 

Marsh fever, at the time I applied for the appointment which I now hold it was advertised that 

the appointment was worth £100 per annum as medical officer and £10 per annum as 

Sanitary Officer. I was paid last quarter only at the rate of £100 a year and a remittance for 

the remainder will much oblige‟ (p449, see also pp469-470). 

- „Master reports that hospital Nurse informed him that William Conneely, a patient in hospital 

registered as a Protestant, requested the services of R.C. Chaplain, he being very weak 

Master had his request complied with. 

William Conneely died on the 1 st inst.‟ (2 Apr 1879, p487). 

51. 23 April 1879 – 4 February 1880 CLOSED due to fragile condition. Includes: 

- „That the Board are satisfied that great distress prevails in this Union owing to a succession of 

bad harvests, the depreciated value of stock and of all agricultural and pastoral produce as 

well as every other class of industry but more especially to the almost entire loss of this year‟s 

crop and fear from the long continued rains and fearing that many of the small farmers and 

working classes may be reduced to a state of absolute want during the winter, feel it their 

bounden duty to bring the state or condition of the country under the notice of the 

Government‟ and call on it to introduce some form of public works programme. Writing that 

„We think, moreover, there is a wide field of operations in Connemara in the direction we have 

pointed out. Its trackless waste of mountain and bog…..the harbours and the construction of a 

cheap line of railway between Galway and Clifden beside the unfinished relief road of 1847 all 

of which are works of public utility and we think the time is most favourable for giving effect to 

a scheme which would be found to prove beneficial to the county and the state…‟ (pp315-17). 



24.


52. 11 February 1880 – 11 August 1880 Includes: 

- „That we consider a tramway from Galway to Clifden would supply neither speed nor power 

and that its cost would be a mere waste of money. We are further of opinion that a well 

considered light railway would alone be adequate to the present traffic and the increasing 

requirements of the District, we have every confidence in Captain Alfred Ernest Acheson 

through whose energies the Galway and Salt Hill tramway has been constructed and we 

pledge ourselves to assist him in his endeavours to get a Railway construction from Galway 

to Clifden. 

We believe that without such a work distress and partial famine will be of periodical 

occurrence here and we are convinced that compared with the benefits which would accrue to 

this District from a Railway all other measures are mere palliatives and we confirm the 

Resolution passed at the two meetings held at Clifden on the 5 th and 10 th inst in support of a 

Railway from Galway to Clifden‟ (ff5-6). 

- „The Relieving Officer got a supply of Indian and oatmeal and rice in December last and made 

no application for a further supply until yesterday there are two shops on the Island to supply 

on his order, he is not expected to do more than look after the supply on its way to the island‟ 

(f25). 

- „…they have purchased the seed at as cheap a rate in accordance with the terms of the 

account as possible but in as much as the numbers in column 3 of it considered considerably 

below the actual number of occupiers the Guardians are inclined to consider that the amount 

allocated to each electoral division is not excessive‟ (f115). 

- „Ordered that half the passage money be given to Martin Conneely‟s wife and 3 children 

(amounting to six pounds) to America the other half being guaranteed by Mr A J. Morris, 

subject to the LGB‟s approval‟ (ff135-136). 

- „Ordered that half of the passage money be given to Mr Henry Murray and seven children 

(amount to £14.14.0) to America, the other half being guaranteed by Mr Edward Kendall, 

subject to LG approval‟ (f178, see also f186). 

- The Board advised the LGB „That there is a great and continued want of employment in the 

said Union and consequent distress…. 

And the Board do hereby recommend to the Government Board to recommend to the Lord 

Lieutenant to convene an Extraordinary Meeting of Baronial Sessions to present for the works 

specified in the aforesaid statement for the employment of the poor …‟ (f185, see also f235). 

- „That half the passage money be given to Mrs Pat Folan and five children…and half the 

passage money be given to Mrs Sally Keady and also one child…‟ (ff206-8, see also f215 & 

f235). 



25.


53. 18 August 1880 – 11 May 1881 Minutes for last two weeks are detached. Includes: 

- „Resolved That the LGB be requested to grant a loan of £3,000 for the purpose of emigration 

that owing to the destitute state of the Union and the numerous applications before us for 

assistance in this direction and having regard to the impoverished state of many landowners 

whose valuation does not exceed £3 and who are anxious to emigrate the Board beg leave 

respectfully to represent that if such loan be allocated for such purpose it would help 

materially to mitigate distress throughout the Union and better the condition of the poor 

people to which we refer if provided with means to emigrate‟ (f6). 

- „Resolved That the heartful thanks of the Board of Guardians of this Union be given to Major 

Gaskill for the kind and efficient manner in which he (as the representative of the Duchess of 

Marlboro Fund) has relieved the poor of this Union‟ (f24). 

- „Resolved that the LGB be asked to give the Board a loan of £2,000 under Relief of Distress 

Act, 1880 108 to meet the liability of the Union and to carry us on until the collection of new rate 

which we fear will be most difficult to collect‟ (f53). 

- „Resolved That we respectfully call the attention of the Government to the great distress 

prevailing amongst the labouring classes, artisans and small tenant farmers of this Union and 

strongly urge the immediate necessity of forthwith opening all the public works passed in last 

session under the Relief Act and that the erection of a Railway line from Galway to Clifden 

would give useful and necessary employment …‟ (f133, see also f157). 

- „Resolved that we agreed with Mr Blake, C.E., as to the necessity of opening the sewerage of 

Clifden and advertisements for contractors should be issued at once to complete said works 

and that the sanction of the LGB in asking a loan of £300 for said works be requested‟ (f134, 

see also f157). 

54. 18 May 1881 – 21 December 1881 Includes: 

- „Resolved that the collection is in a very backward state and that the collectors do not 

appear to have used due diligence and that more energy on their part should have been 

used and that they have not complied with the Board‟s order of 11 th inst. and that the Local 

Government‟s attention be called to the matter‟ (f5). 

- „Resolved. That this Board of Guardians hail with great satisfaction the proposal of a 

Steam tramway between Galway outward and to Clifden and give their unanimous 

approval of the undertaking and further feel it their duty to urge upon the Grand Juries of 

the county of Galway, of the Town of Galway and on the Town Commissioners the great 

necessity existing for the carrying out such a project‟ (f68). 

(55.) 

108 

Relief of Distress (Ireland) Act was passed in March 1880 (43 Vict. c.4). 



26.


56. 6 September 1882 – 25 April 1883 (Pages 423-446 missing) Includes: 

- „Pursuant to the Notice of Motion handed in by me I have to request the Clerk to lay before 

this Board the Law relating to the qualification for Guardian, and to ask him if he is aware 

on what grounds said qualification was raised from £10 to £30 and I beg to move that as 

this is one of the poorest Unions in Ireland and that so few are qualified and willing to act in 

the capacity of Guardian. We hereby respectfully request the LGB to reduce forever 

hereafter the necessary qualification for that office in this Union to what it originally was 

namely a valuation of £10‟ (p70, see also p109 & 112). 

- „Whereas in this Union there are only 90 men qualified to act as Guardians and of this 

number 6 are Protestant and 1 Catholic resident landlords and of the others 7 in Holy 

Orders, 1 Resident Magistrate, 1 Dispensary M.D., and 1 Clerk of Union and the Board at 

present constituted consists of 19 ex-officos of whom only 2 are Catholics and the 

remainder consists of men elected but some of those elected Guardians never attend a 

meeting of the Board but they are elected because there are not a sufficient number to be 

found qualified and willing to act, and at this moment there is one Division unrepresented in 

consequent of the Member elected he not being found to possess the £30 qualification 

after being returned. 

Be it resolved - that as there are not a sufficient number of men for rate payers to select 

from that the LGB be and are hereby respectfully requested to reduce the qualification to 

what it originally stood at namely £10‟ (pp169-170, see also p208). 

- „Resolved: That the Board of Guardians of this Union decline to become contributor to the 

National School Teachers Act‟ (p229). 

- „Resolved: That the LGB be requested to ask Mr Tuke‟s 109 committee to add the following 

Electoral Divisions of this Union for assisted emigration inasmuch as they are over 

populated and a great number of the people are very poor etc: 

Ballinakill, Bencor, Cleggan, Clifden, Cushkillen, Derrycuala, Derrylea, Doonloughan, Illion, 

Moyrus and Roundstone‟ (p230). 

- „Resolved: That the Clerk be requested to Summon a full meeting of the Board for this day 

fortnight with a view of asking the LGB to use their influence with the Government to 

commence at once either a Tramway or Railway between Galway and Clifden which would 

give sufficient employment to all able-bodied people in three Unions and is sure to be 

remunerative‟ (p231). 

- „It having come to our knowledge the Relieving Officers of the Union are in the habit of 

absenting themselves from their districts going in charge of emigrants to Galway which will 

cause them at least to be three days absent in the week and this having occurred on 

several occasions which must have caused the wants of the destitute poor to be greatly 

neglected in their trying season and further as we were recently obliged to appoint a 

temporary assistant Relieving Officer. 

Resolved that we now direct that all the Relieving Officers in the Union discontinue from 

this day forth leaving their districts without Board‟s permission‟ (p449). 

109 

Mr Tuke‟s fund was established in March 1882 to assist emigration from the Unions of Clifden, Oughterard and the Aran Islands 

in Co. Galway, and Belmullet, Newport & Swinford in Co. Mayo to America. 9,482 people were assisted by this fund up to 1885. A 

book Mr. Tuke‟s Fund for Assisted Emigration 1882-5 gives a full list of emigrants‟ names and the townlands they came from. 

There is a vast amount of information including an analysis of what happened to their small-holdings in Ireland after they left and 

letters home from the emigrants on arrival. 



27.



- „Resolved. That as the Resolution said to be passed at the Board meeting on the 11 th April 

was neither proposed, seconded nor put from the Chair that it be expunged from the Minutes 

of said meeting and that we the Guardians of Clifden Union now bind ourselves not to 

borrow any money for which interest would have to be paid and furthermore we call upon the 

collectors to use more exertion in the collection of the Rates in their respective districts so 

that money may be forthcoming to meet outstanding debt‟ (f4). 

- Mrs C. I. Blake having attended before the Board and explained that her tenants have not 

paid any rent since the 1 st November 1881. It is resolved she be allowed time to pay the 

arrears of Poor Rate provided she pays it on instalment of £50 at a time on certain townlands 

or numbers the rate in the Division being exceedingly high 5/3d in the £ (f24). 

- LGB forwarding letter „...from Michael Laffey an inmate of the workhouse proferring complaint 

against Dr Payne, Medical Officers of workhouse…‟ (f44, see also f53). 

- „Resolved: That the Burial Ground of Ballyconneely in the Bunowen Electoral Division be 

enlarged by adding thereto an additional piece of land, as owing to the overcrowded state of 

the graveyard there is not at present space left to open new graves consequently they have 

to lay coffins one over another without sufficient covering‟ (f85, see also GPL3/58, f14). 

- „Take Notice that I will this day fortnight move that some of the Relieving Officers be 

discontinued as we have a good harvest now and no sickness in the county and the Union 

being so much in debt‟ (f185). 

58. 9 January 1884 – 3 September 1884 Includes: 

- Details of the election of a Chairman for the ensuing year (9 Apr 1884, f91). 

- Details of tenders for coffins for the workhouse and outdoor relief, coffins for a 12 month 

period, and supplies, such as tea, sugar, starch, candles, sherry, paraffin oil, Indian meal, 

oatmeal and coal, to workhouse for next six months (23 Apr 1884, f105). 

- Details of the Board‟s case to the LGB for reducing the qualification of Guardians from £30 

to £7 (ff116-117, see also f135). 

- „Master reports that Hanna Hughes, aged 90, a Protestant, notified on yesterday the 13 th 

inst. that she desired to see the Roman Catholic Chaplain and requested to have her 

religious denomination changed to Roman Catholic‟ (f134). 

- „The Master reports that Michael Laffey, workhouse inmate, desires to have his religious 

denomination changed from Protestant to Roman Catholic‟ (f144). 

- „Resolved: That in the opinion of this Board there is great want of employment for the 

people in the Cleggan district and as the money has been granted for the erection of a Pier 

at Cleggan, this Board respectfully requests the Board of Works to push forward the 



28.


erection of the Pier at Cleggan so as to give employment to the people and prevent a great 

number of them becoming a burthen (burden) on the ratepayers‟ (f166) 110 . 

- Letter from Mary Flaherty, Roundstone, a „poor blind woman‟ seeking outdoor relief (17 

June 1884), f176). 

- „Resolved: That any persons getting outdoor relief in this Union their names be drawn out in 

lists and said lists to be posted in the most conspicuous place in the town of Clifden, on the 

Chapel gate, at Ballyconneely on the Chapel, at Claddaghduff, Renvyle, Roundstone, 

Carna and all other chapels in the Union, and that each Relieving Officer be ordered draw 

out these lists and have them posted in the proper places in their District when the 

ratepayers will have a chance of seeing for themselves in what manner this money is 

expended and that the amount each person receives be placed after his or her name‟ 

(f186). 

- Report from His Grace, the Archbishop of Tuam, following a visit to the workhouse (f216). 

- „Master reports that on Monday night the 4 th inst. at about 11.40 pm an alarm of Fire was 

raised in the house and on my getting up discovered that the Temporary buildings in which 

was stored a quantity of turf were on fire…. 

….by the exertions of the constabulary and people the fire was kept from spreading to the 

main building and other portions of the Establishment‟ (f224). 

- LGB letter relating to a letter it received from Joseph Mangan (Relieving Officer) regarding 

the administration of outdoor relief in the district, the Board advised „...the death, of alleged 

starvation, of William Fleming, on enquiries it is ascertained that he died of old age and 

debility and not of want (having lived with his son, who is well to do and who supplied him 

with all he required) any persons discharged by the Board were considered not fit objects 

for indoor relief and were left in the hands of the Relieving Officer‟ (f245). 

59. 10 September 1884 – 1 April 1885 Includes: 

- „Resolved. That we are of opinion that owing to the present state of the Union and the 

absence of any distress we are of opinion that Relieving Officers Lydon 111 and Joyce should 

be reduced. Lydon from £40 to £30 and Joyce from £25 to £20 per annum and we hope that 

LGB will give this matter their best attention‟ (p9, see also p28). 

- „Resolved: That we strongly recommend for the consideration of the Board of Public Works 

that Mr Martin R Hart be appointed pay clerk over the piers now proposed to be erected in 

this District..‟ (p49). 

110 The National Archives, Office of Public works (OPW) collection contains a file on Cleggan Pier (OPW8/83) dating from 1822- 

1884. It includes Reports of Alexander Nimmo (including Roundstone Pier) and F. O'Donnell, plans and specifications, acceptance 

of tender to carry out improvements, draft bond and contract, engineer's reports on the works, memorials (1847), specification 

(1884), and petition. (http://www.nationalarchives.ie/search-the-archives/, Apr 2012) 

111 Lydon died in September 1911 (13 Sept 1911, GPL3/98, p106). He had resigned a short time before his death. 



29.


- „Very Rev. P. Lynskey, R.C. Chaplain, reports “Visited hospital, l have to express my regret 

that I found a disreputable woman in the male ward. I desire to call the attention of the 

Board of Guardians to this ugly fact”. 

The Master explained that the woman referred to was employed as an assistant in the 

Hospital, that she is the mother of one illegitimate child and an inmate of the workhouse for 

the past two years. 

Ordered: The Board consider it highly objectionable to have the woman referred to in the 

Chaplain‟s report found in the male ward. The Board order the discontinuance of the 

employment of such woman in connection with the male ward and as far as is practicable 

that male attendants should be employed‟ (p127). 


- „Resolved. That we the Guardians of the Clifden Union have heard that Mrs Caroline Blake, 

guardian to the Blake minors has carried on some evictions on the Renvyle Estate without 

giving the Relieving Officer notice of said evictions 112 , that we the Board express our 

disapproval of such proceedings and that we require an explanation on this day week from 

Mrs Blake as to such proceedings, otherwise we shall order our Solicitor to include 

proceedings against her in this matter and that Mrs Blake be sent a copy of this Resolution‟ 

(p51, see also p68 & p149). 

- Transcript of letter from John P Nolan, M.P., regarding his election as Chairman of the 

Board, and advising that „I greatly regret that the fact of my residence being in another part 

of the county will preclude me from attending the Board as often as I would desire, but I feel 

that the Board is quite safe in the hands of the able Vice Chairman & Deputy Vice Chairman 

whom the Board have selected. I need hardly say that any service which it may be possible 

in the House of Commons to render the Union I shall be most happy to discharge as it will 

be now doubly my duty to do anything in my power for the Clifden Union‟ (p52, see also 

p90). 

- „Resolved: That this Board is of opinion that it is desirable in the public interest and on 

economical grounds that the Oughterard Union continues to exist as a separate and distinct 

Union‟ (p189, see also p408, & GPL3/61, p368). 

- „Ordered that the chargeability of Michael Lydon an inmate be changed from Union at large 

to Renvyle Electoral Division‟ (p350). 

- „Ordered that Michael Lydon be discharged from the House he being offered one pound per 

quarter wages‟ (p350). 

- LG Inspector „….reports the financial condition of the Union as most unsatisfactory and 

requesting the Guardians to take immediate action to relieve the Union from its 

embarrassed financial condition‟ (p508). 

112 Eviction of John Joyce & J. Malley (GPL3/60, p149) 



30.


61. 21 October 1885 – 5 May 1886 Includes 

- „Resolved that owing to the very few persons who are qualified to fill the position of 

Guardian in this Union the qualification being £30 that the LGB be requested to reduce the 

qualification from £30 to £10 in Clifden Electoral Division and seven pounds £7, in the other 

Divisions‟ (pp50-51, see also p68). 

- „LGB Letter no. 40607 dated 29 Dec 1885 stating that they are willing to reduce the 

qualification for the office of Guardian to £12 for each Electoral Division of the Union (p188). 

- „The little girl Toole is ordered to be admitted by way of loan, her father becoming 

contributor for her support to the extent of one shilling per week‟ (p189). 

- „Resolved: That in consequence of the general reduction in rents throughout Ireland, owing 

to the depression of all kinds of agricultural produce and the low price of stock we the 

Guardians of the Glenamaddy Union, hereby place on record our opinion that all 

mortgagees should give a substantial reduction on the interest of their mortgages so as to 

enable the landlords to grant a reduction now sought and needed throughout Ireland. 

Passed unanimously‟ (p191). 

- „Resolved that consequent on the great distress at present prevailing among the people in 

many parts of this Union and which distress might be averted by giving the people some 

employment and some earnings and that the Government should be at once called on to 

render the required assistance to such measures as may be decided on. We also appeal to 

the landlords and shopkeepers within the Union to act leniently and indulgently towards the 

people during the time of their present trying ordeal‟ (pp209-210). 

- „Resolved. That we the Guardians… are quite certain that if the landlords of this Union, 

also the agents of absentee landlords, press the tenants for rents due at present they must 

surely want the unfortunate people out of the country and we think it advisable that the 

landlords should at present refrain from enforcing these rents by ejectment or otherwise 

until we meet with better times and that the landlords should accept outstanding rents by 

instalments, as at present since forty seven and forty eight (1847 & 1848) we never had a 

worse prospect of the times nor the people in a worse condition and we also think that the 

present rents fixed by the Land Commission are fifty per cent too high‟ (p211). 

- „That we the Board of Guardians of the Clifden Union are of opinion that in view of the result 

of the late Parliamentary Election a large measure of Local self government for Ireland 

should now be granted subject however to the following indispensable conditions 

1 st . The maintenance of the supremacy of the Imperial government 

2 nd . The due representation of all classes and interests in the Irish legislature and 

3 rd . The conversion of fair terms of all agricultural tenants into freeholds‟ (p391). 

- „Resolved: That we beg to call the attention of the LGB to the very great distress and widespread 

poverty existing in this Union. And we would urge upon the LGB the necessity of 

getting the Government to open up works of public utility immediately…‟ (p409). 

- „Resolved: That the Board of Guardians have sufficient facts before them that widespread 

and dire distress exists throughout the entire Union, and the Board beg to affirm that if 

exceptional powers are not permitted to the Board, to relieve distressed occupiers of land 

and sufficient funds placed at their disposal as indicated under Relief of Distress Act, now 

passing through the House of Commons, hundreds of families will starve. The clause in the 

Act referring to the repairs and making of roads, and boat slips and piers may be carried out 



31.


here with the greatest advantage for the convenience as well as relief of the distressed 

districts. We earnestly request the LGB to come to our assistance at once. We respectfully 

point out the embarrassed financial position of our Union renders it impossible for us to 

meet the great demands made upon us and again we appeal to the LGB in the deplorable 

circumstances‟ (p452). 

(62.) 

63. 24 November 1886 – 15 June 1887 Includes: 

- „Master reports that some of the inmates amongst the class privileged to wear boots, are 

doing considerable damage to the sheets, shirts and bedding of the house generally, by 

tearing portions of these articles and using them as stockings on their feet, those very 

necessary requisitions not being supplied them. I would respectfully suggest, in order to put 

a stop to this practice that some ten or twelve pounds of woollen yarn and some knitting 

needles be ordered and that the old women be employed at stocking making, thereby 

encouraging some little industry amongst this class and with some advantage to the Union‟ 

(p87). 

- „Ordered that the sum of two pounds be allowed to the child Patrick Berry for travelling 

expenses to a Dublin Hospital and back for treatment to the eye, he being a destitute poor 

person‟ (p170). 

- „Resolved: That the names of the families residing in Inishlackan (Roundstone) and who are 

anxious to go to America be submitted to Father Maloney, together with a copy of Sir Arthur 

Hayton‟s letter…‟ (p289). 

- Report from Chaplain‟s Book regarding a call to attend Mary Keane from 

Rusheennamanagh, Skannive who arrived at the workhouse at 4.45, when he got there at 9 

pm the woman was dead and „“…evidently the Relieving Officer has neglected to do his 

duty, her appearance after death was most deplorable. I request that the Guardians will 

make most particular inquiries in reference to this shocking case of manifest neglect and 

put an end to the inhuman system of hastening or causing the death of persons unfit to be 

removed”‟ (pp427-428, see also p449 & p469 & p508). 

64. 22 June 1887 – 18 January 1888 Includes: 

„Master reports….Bridget Corbet of Barnahallia (Selerna) came to the workhouse with an infant 

and stated that it was found in a cock of hay in her husband‟s land and that the Police Sergeant 

at Cleggan told her to bring it here….if she had any suspicion as to who was the mother, she 

replied she had. He took her to the Police Barracks where she stated that a girl named 

Margaret Courcey of Barnahallia was the mother…‟ (p127). 

Details of estimates for the coming year (p211). 

„Resolved. That the services of a Medical Officer and Relieving Officer for Inishbofin be 

dispensed with, subject to approval of LGB, as we consider that a people who refuse to pay 

rates or taxes are not entitled to such accommodation and it is very hard on the impoverished 

rate payers of the Clifden Dispensary District to meet such expenditure‟ (p449). 



32.


65. 25 January 1888 – 25 July 1888 Closed due to fragile condition. Includes: 

- Transcript of letter of complaint from Patrick Lynskey, P.P. to the Board regarding the 

Protestant Chaplain stating that „…as a consequence of his visit he succeeded in inducing her 

(Bridget Folan or Taylor) to hand over two of her children to a Proselytizing institution. 

In order to secure a full investigation into the criminal and cowardly conduct of your Protestant 

Chaplain who makes use of his position, as your official to deprive the poor committed to your 

charge of their faith their last consolation‟ (p14). 

66. 1 August 1888 – 20 February 1889 Includes: 

- „Resolved: We the Clifden BG representing the inhabitants of the Western district of Galway 

finding that the Irish Drainage Bills have been withdrawn for the present, most earnestly and 

respectfully call upon the Government to proceed with the second portion of the report of the 

Royal Commission on the construction of Irish Railways and Fishery Harbours so far at least 

as to allow for the immediate construction of the line of rail from Galway to Clifden so strongly 

recommended by their report…‟ (p29). 

- Details of rate struck for each electoral division within Union (pp48-49). 

- „In connection with the half yearly report of their Inspector Mr Arthur Bourke on the Union which 

was inspected on the 29 th ult., to the effect 

“That a sum of over £1,000 of old rate is still uncollected while the debt of the Union amt to 

£4,846 and having regard to the very unsatisfactory financial condition of the Union the Board 

think the Guardians should press their collectors to make a determined effort to close their 

accounts. That cleanliness is observed in the workhouse and that the officers with the 

exception of the collectors discharge their duties efficiently…”‟ (p89). 

- Details of various articles to be supplied by Joseph Gorham and cost of same, such as bread 

at 5d per 4lf loaf, port wine at 1/4½ per bottle, rice at 2½d per lb (p129). 

- „LGB Letter…acknowledging the receipt of a communication from the Clerk of the Union 

enclosing a copy of a warrant of removal of James Prendergast from England to Clifden 

Workhouse, and suggesting that the Guardians should ask for a copy of the Depositions taken 

in the case under the provisions of Sec. 3 of the Removal of the Poor Amendment Act 1861…‟ 

(p249). 

- Transcript of letter from George E O‟Flaherty, The Lodge, Ballyconneely regarding a proposed 

extension to Ballyconneely graveyard (pp369-70). 



33.


67. 27 February 1889 - 4 September 1889 Includes: 

- Details of tenders accepted for the supply of various articles and services from local 

businesses to the Union, together with details of the cost of same, such as from Mrs King, 

calico at 3 ½d per yard, and from Pat Flaherty coffins at 1 shilling each (p105). 

- „….report from their Inspector Doctor Power in which he states that the pump in the village of 

Roundstone is out of order and that the well is exposed to pollution from surface water‟ (p120). 

- „Pursuant to notice of motion, that three pumps be erected in the Town of Clifden, the area of 

taxation to be Clifden Dispensary District, plans and specifications to be prepared and forward 

to LGB for approval with a request that they sanction a loan from the Board of Public Works for 

amount of estimated cost‟ (pp153-154, see also p185). 

- LGB advising that they had „referred to them from the Chief Secretary‟s Office communications 

respecting two children named Peter Little and Peter Joyce 113 who had been inmates of the 

workhouse and who were on the 16 th ult. brought before the magistrates and committed to the 

Letterfrack Industrial School for having been found begging, and requesting the Guardians to 

cause careful inquiry to be made into the circumstances of each case and furnish the Board 

with their observations thereon‟ (p185, see also pp201-202, p264, pp280-81 & p297). 

- Minutes of first meeting of Clifden Dispensary Committee (p192). 

- „Resolved…beg to tender our most grateful thanks to the Right Honourable Sir Michael Hicks 

Beach 114 for the active part he has taken in having the Railway Bill passed through Committee 

of the House of Commons…‟ (p425). 

(68.) 

69. 30 April 1890 – 26 January 1891 Includes: 

- „That it is most essential to the public health to construct waterworks in the town of Clifden…. 

That an experienced Engineer be employed to prepare an estimate for the Guardians of the 

total cost of reservoirs, of channel, of pipes, of laying down same, of fencing, of damage or 

injury to land or of acquiring land, the cost of four fountains in the Town, etc…‟ (30 Apr 1890). 

- „Resolved in pursuance of notice of motion that taking into consideration the long and faithful 

services of our efficient Clerk (Mr Burke) for over 30 years, and the fact that he has paid an 

assistant out of his salary for the past 15 years, and that the duties of his office are fairly 

increasing we consider it would be materially to the interest of the Union to have a permanent 

assistant appointed at a remuneration of £1 per week, by so doing we will be securing the 

services of Mr Burke for more years to come as our Clerk, and the further consideration that it 

is absolutely necessary that an assistant should be appointed in connection with the Seed 

Rate, a matter of vital importance to the Union, otherwise that Mr Burke‟s salary be increased 

113 

Reported to be the „illegitimate son of a woman named Margaret Griffin’, both were admitted to the workhouse in 1884 (GPL3/67, 

pp280-281). 

114 

Michael Edward Hicks Beach, 1st Earl St Aldwyn PC, PC (Ire) (23 October 1837 – 30 April 1916), known as Sir Michael Hicks 

Beach, Bt, from 1854 to 1906 and subsequently as The Viscount St Aldwyn to 1915, was a British Conservative politician. Known 

as "Black Michael", he notably served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1885 to 1886 and again from 1895 to 1902. 



34.


to such an extent as that proposed for a permanent assistant viz £1 per week. That Festy King 

be appointed a permanent assistant Clerk at £1 per week‟ (pp121-122, see also p312). 

- „That we the Guardians…..having carefully examined into the state of the potato crop in our 

several Electoral Divisions find it so seriously damaged by the blight that we consider scarcely 

a third of the expected crop will be available as food for the people. We therefore feel it our 

regretful but imperative duty to bring the matter under the notice of the Government, trusting 

means will be taken to provide against any emergency by at once commencing the 

constructions of the Galway and Clifden Railway thereby affording honest remunerative 

employment for the people‟ (p154b, 20 Aug 1890). 

- Details of salaries paid (pp197-198 and p325). 

- „The Clerk submitted estimates of repairs required to be made in workhouse buildings and 

stated that they would amount to £300 or £400. 

The Board having had under consideration the estimate for the repairs of the workhouse 

amounting to the sum of £400, are of opinion that although the repairs are required they feel 

that in the present financial state of the Union they could not undertake so large an outlay but 

the Board earnestly request the LGB to come to their aid out of any available funds in their 

control‟ (p202, see also p217). 

- „LGB letter no. 39633 dated 14 October 1890 forwarding letter from Eliza Burke, an inmate of 

workhouse…‟ (p217, see also p249). 

- „Resolved: That owing to the distress that is likely to prevail and is now actually prevailing in 

this Union the Board consider that the Railway work, grateful as we are for it, will not meet the 

wants of the poor in the remote districts of this Union and that we respectfully ask the 

Government to open some other useful public works in the parts too remote from the railway 

works, and we would suggest that the people in the remote places get employment in repairing 

or making piers or harbours, or making roads or any other works the Government would 

consider useful and knowing how demoralising any system of gratuitous relief is we would 

respectfully submit that it would be better give the people employment or their own holdings 

than any such relief. Knowing that the hands of the Chief Secretary are full of other important 

business a copy of this be sent for expediency to the Under Secretary…‟ (p282). 

- Tributes to John Burke, deceased, Clerk of the Union, including one from James H. Tuke, who 

established the assisted emigration scheme in the early 1880s (pp330-31). 

- „Resolved that observing the widespread distress which now exists in the several electoral 

divisions of this Union, and that the construction of the Railway from Galway to Clifden has not 

so far given employment to one fourth of the applicants for work thereon, we consider it our 

duty to call the attention of the Chief Secretary to the wants of the poor as here exist with the 

view of opening up relief works to give employment to the many applications for work and that 

part of the charitable funds now in possession of the Chief Secretary may be applied to this 

District with a view of, as early as possible, relieving the distressful poor‟ (p410c). 



35.


70. 28 January 1891 – 22 July 1891 Includes details relating to the purchase, shipping, 

inspection & distribution of seed potatoes, also to relief 

works and the out-door relief, and also:- 

- Details and reference to relief works (p32c) including transcript of a letter from R. Atterson 

Blake to the BG regarding relief works in Selerna advising that „A considerable number 

gathered on the occasion of the intended opening of the works to manifest their destitution and 

want. They clamoured for food and because they felt the [pang] of hunger as much as those 

who were directed to put on the works there were no relief works at all engaged in, and thus 

that time there was no effort to relieve the famine of the people who were then recognised by 

the Government to be in want, nor to bring relief to those who then complained so bitterly and 

so loudly. This Electoral Division is undoubtedly the poorest in the Clifden Union. It is rated 

higher than any other Electoral Division in said Union. There are only 29 ratepayers in the 

Division while at this moment there are 251 persons on out-door-relief‟ (p410d). 

- „Resolved: That in consequence of no boats being on the Island of Omey the poor people 

employed on the Relief Works now opened in Silerna Division suffer much having to wade their 

way through the tide sometimes at the risk of their lives and sometimes will be altogether 

unable to attend owing to the fact that there is not a boat on the Island, in which there are 29 

families. The best way that these poor miserable people can be relieved is to supply them with 

a few boats and open some works on the Island‟ (p72). 

- „We the Guardians….entering on our duties for the years 1891 & 1892 find the monetary 

affairs of the Union in such an embarrassed state with such extreme distress existing in the 

Union all classes more or less affected by it that we feel it our bounden duty to bring the matter 

under the notice of the Government and seek its assistance to enable us to extricate the Union 

from its financial difficulties…‟ (p290). 

(71.) 

72. 3 February 1892 – 23 March 1892, Rough Minute book. Includes: 

1 October 1892 – 8 February 1893 

- Master reports that „Anne Fox aged 28 years married with four children were brought to the 

workhouse in the ambulance car on the 4 th inst. She presented an order for admission from 

Relieving Officer Canavan. This woman states she is a native of the County of Donegal and 

wife of a stone mason, working at Cashel who has deserted herself and children‟ 

Ordered: that Francis Fox, the husband, be prosecuted‟ (p27). 

- „I have had the honour to lay before the Queen the loyal and dutiful Resolution which has been 

adopted by the Board of Guardians of Clifden Union on the occasion of the death of his Royal 

Highness The Duke of Clarence and Avondale K.G and I have to inform you that Her Majesty 

was pleased to receive the Resolution very graciously. 

I have the honour to be Sirs, 

Your obedient servant 

Henry Mathews‟ (p49). 



36.


73. 30 March 1892 – 28 September 1892 Includes:- 

- Transcript of letter from J McDonnell advising that „…yesterday evening I visited a family 

named Faherty living in Davis‟s (one of the daughters having married two years ago a son 

of Davis of Gurteen, whose family had recently typhus fever) and found five of them 

suffering from typhus….‟ (p19). 

- „The Board beg to refer to the Local Government Board inquiry held 24 th May 1888 and 

request them to give an opinion as to the suitability of the land purchased by Guardians as 

an extension to the old graveyard at Ballyconneely as it appears from the minutes of the 

evidence taken (which are sent herewith) that there were some objections to it and that their 

inspector Dr J Hamilton Burke visited the place and the landlord refuses to give a piece of 

land in exchange on the grounds that it would be too close to his residence‟ (p39, see also 

p158). 

- Details of a letter from James Perry, County Surveyor „Forwarding published map, plan, 

section of pipelines, specification & estimate in connection with the proposed water-works 

for the Town of Clifden and stating that he would be in Clifden on Wednesday and would be 

glad to afford any information they might require…‟ (p136). 

- „Ordered: That the plans for the waterworks for the town of Clifden be forwarded as soon as 

possible to the Local Government Board‟ (p157, see also p199). 

- „Resolved: That the well at Church Street, Clifden, be enclosed‟ (p157, see also p176 & 

p217). 

- „Read memorial from the inhabitants of Claddaghduff, Selerna Electoral Division, requesting 

that a pump be erected or to find some other means of procuring for the inhabitants of the 

townland with a constant supply of pure water. 

Order that Father Conroy be requested to get an estimate of what the pump will cost‟ 

(p197). 

- „Ordered: That Clerk telegraph the LGB to suspend the sealed order closing the 

Ballyconneely graveyard for one month. 

The piece of ground already bought by the Guardians has been considered quite unsuitable 

by the Priests of the District. It has been arranged that the money paid will be handed back 

and the Guardians are taking immediate steps to secure a more suitable place‟ (p198). 

- „Relieving Officer, Thomas Lydon, reported that he had been served with six eviction 

notices, four at the suit of Alexius Mills and Mary Anne Rickham against John Casey, 

James [Gannon] and Pat King of Boolard, Clifden Electoral Division, and Martin Connelly 

Cushatrough, Selerna Electoral Division and one at the suit of Ellen Suffield against Pat 

Conneely and one against Festy Murray and Ellen Toole…‟ (pp292-3). 

- Details regarding members of the Board of Management of the Galway Hospital, under the 

Galway Hospital Act 1892 (p329, see also p469). 



37.


- „….extract from “The Galway Observer” of (death of) a woman named Julia Faherty alleged 

to have been caused by starvation‟ (p329, see also p371). 

- Master reported that a „boy inmate Patrick Neary (aged 10 years), engaged for some time 

conveying the letters and other messages from the Clerk‟s office to the Post after bringing 

the post stole out and, with other boys from Town went to bathe in the River adjacent to the 

House. Soon after one of the boys with whom he had been bathing came and reported that 

he was drowned, help was immediately sent, and he was taken out of the water by a blind 

man named Coyne, efforts were made to restore animation, which after a time proved 

successful and he is now all right…‟ (p347). 

- Read Order signed by Robert Blaire, Esq., Sheriff Substitute, Stirling, Dumbarton, for 

removal to Ireland of Bridget Regan or Mannion, Margaret Mannion and Mary Mannion, 

born in the parish of Ballinakill within the Union of Clifden‟ (p449). 

74. 15 February 1893 - 30 August 1893 Includes: 

- Master reports that „Ellen Connolly, an inmate, gave birth to a child on the 5 th inst. She states 

that the putative father is a married man and resides in the Errismore District…‟ (p7). 

- „Resolved: That in view of the distress existing in and around Clifden, this Board wish to 

draw the attention of the Congested Districts Board to this fact, and request that the Board 

will come to the assistance of the poor in the way of employment such as the repairing of 

old roads leading into bogs, etc. It may be stated that the Railway in course of construction 

can afford ample employment (but) such is not the case as very few are employed and 

these are select men. In the opinion of the Guardians employment is much needed in the 

District‟ (p171). 

75. 13 September 1893 – 10 March 1894 Includes: 

- Report from P. Gorham, Medical Officer of Health, advising „I have frequently called your 

attention to the very imperfect condition of the Public Sewer extending from Mullarkey‟s Hotel 

to the river at Powladulla. The abominable stench arising from this sewer is of course most 

injurious to health and has been a frequent cause of complaint. I called the attention of Dr 

Clements, LGB Inspector, to the defective condition of this sewer, he agreed with me that the 

entire gulley to be ripped up, cleaned and reconstructed. I would suggest that a new sewer be 

constructed of the best Portland cement properly trapped and ventilated…‟ (p77). 

- Observations of Colonel J. O‟Hara, D.L., PGB Inspector, stating „There has been a 

considerable improvements in the collection of the poor Rates but the Seed instalment due last 

August is still considerably in arrears and I fear if not collected and paid to the Board of Works 

will be impressed from the ordinary Rates and put the Union, which was recovering a little, to 

much inconvenience in payment of its current arrangement‟ (p469). 



38.


76. 21 March 1894 – 12 September 1894 Includes: 

- LGB requesting „…return showing for each of the five years preceding the 31 st December 

1893 the number of paupers removed from England and Scotland to the Union‟ (p34). 

- Tenders for the supply of outdoor relief (pp37-8). 

- Tender for „coffins made out of ¾ inch deal board, planed with trunk lids…‟ (p51). 

- „Resolved: That in consequence of the large number of tramps seeking the shelter of the 

workhouse by ticket from Relieving Officers, the Guardians direct the particular attention of 

the R.O. to the 3 rd & 4 th sections of the 10 & 11 Vic., Cap. 84 and, in future when tramp 

seeks or applies for relief by ticket of admission to the House a second time, the R.O. will 

hand such person over to the Constabulary and have him prosecuted, and that the Master of 

the Workhouse will in future cause each tramp to get a cold bath, night and morning, and in 

all other respects to carry out the law in accordance with Article 24 of the Workhouse rules‟ 

(p61, see also p164, see also p425). 

- „Read letter from Mr Mullarkey, Clifden complaining of the unsanitary state of the public drain 

or gullet opposite his hotel‟ (p177). 

- LGB letter „stating that unless the Guardian take immediate steps to put the Labourers Acts 

into force in their Union they will be liable to lose the benefit of the Parliamentary Grant 

£183.11.3 (p179). 

- The Master advised that „there were no potatoes in the store for the inmates‟ dinner on last 

Thursday. Bread had to be substituted. I attended the market on last Saturday for the 

purpose of getting some. All the potatoes were then bought up at 5 d per stone. In the 

absence of any orders I did not consider I was justified in giving that price even though any 

were for sale‟ (p215, see also p241). 

- „Resolved: We the merchants and traders of Clifden and Guardians of the Union having 

heard with great regret that your honourable Board are about to stop the very beneficial 

works you have been getting executed in the harbour of Clifden, we felt deeply grateful to 

your Board for having initiated those works so absolutely necessary and giving employment 

to a number of people. If the works should be stopped in their present unfinished state they 

must under the action of the tidal wave be washed away. We would call your attention to the 

labourers thrown out of employment at this idle season of the year. For these reasons we 

trust your honourable Board will order the continuation of those very necessary works. 

Adopted unanimously and a copy to be forwarded to the Congested Districts Board‟ (p243). 

- „Resolved: That we tender to the people of Achill our deepest sympathy on the awful 

calamity which has recently occurred in Westport Harbour 115 , brought death and desolation 

to so many families in that improvished island, and further that we call the attention of the 

115 

In June 1894, the first train on the Achill railway carried the bodies of victims of the Clew Bay Drowning. A boat, carrying 

harvesters overturned in Clew Bay, drowning thirty-two young people. They had been going to meet the steamer which would take 

them to Scotland for potato picking. 



39.


CDB to the evident necessity of establishing industries which will keep the people at home‟ 

(p347). 

- Inspector, Major Ruttledge-Fair, reported that it appeared ‘that considerable improvement 

has been effected in the financial state of the Union for the past twelve months. That the 

hospital nurse was too old and feeble to undertake the care of the sick, and that the general 

condition of the Union was far from satisfactory, etc, and referring the Guardians to their 

letter of 12 th September last on the subject…‟ (p554). 

- „The Master desired to draw attention to the state of the graveyard of Tullyvoheen in which 

the deceased inmates of the workhouse were formerly buried. …‟ (p631) 

- „The Master reports – That John Burke, aged 24 years, a native of Murvey was, on the 11 th 

February last, admitted into the workhouse, on the 28 th of same month he was transferred to 

Hospital in an advanced stage of phthisis, 116 at 6.40 am on yesterday the 4 th inst he was 

notified of his death in a few hours. After death when about to be washed and coffined, a 

large gash was found on the left arm on the wrist. The Medical Officer was immediately 

notified. He attended and the Police authorities were notified of the fact. The Master 

understands that the Coroner has been communicated with‟ 117 (p631). 

77. 19 September 1894 - 20 March 1895 Extensive minutes relating to the provision 

of seed potato. Also includes: 

- „We propose that, owing to the partial failure of the potato crop, that some public works 

should be at once opened and we urge upon the CDB to complete the part of the road left 

undone leading from Letterfrack to Ballinahinch, as being a most useful and important work‟ 

(p11, see also p35). 

- „Resolved: That attention of the Auditor be drawn to the Relief given to the tenants and 

under tenants who were recently evicted from the Renvyle Estate, as we are informed that 

they have been, or are, digging their potatoes, and, in fact have had, or are having, the 

benefit of this year‟s crop, and therefore cannot be destitute‟ (p166). 

- „Resolved: That considering the great failure of the potato crop this year we earnestly call 

upon the landlords in this Union to grant substantial reductions in their rents and considering 

the very substantial reductions given by the landlords in the Co. Roscommon and elsewhere 

it is to be hoped that the landlords of this Union will assist their tenants by a substantial 

reduction in their rents in this year of unusual distress‟ (p321). 

- „Resolved: That the necessity of Relief Works to save the people from starvation forces this 

Board to again call upon the Government to at once start works at least in those districts 

most thickly populated…‟ (p476). 

116 

A progressive wasting or consumptive condition; especially pulmonary tuberculosis. 

117 

The Medical Officer stated Burke was suffered from Laryngeal phthisis. The Coroner advised no inquest was required. 



40.


- „Letter from Messrs Bennett Bros. ..relative to the Guardians‟ inquiry as to freight for delivery 

of the Seed potatoes at three ports viz, Kilkerrin, Roundstone and Clifden, asking for 

particulars as to the depth of water at each port and distance between each, and requesting 

to be informed when the potatoes would be required to be shipped and if the inspection 

would be in bulk or in bags….‟ (p504b). 

- Medical Officer reported two Lydon brothers from Lettergesh are suffering from typhus fever 

(p563). 

78. 27 March 1895 – 18 September 1895 Includes: 

- Chaplain advised, „Having administered the last sacrament to Kate Hearne, a Mary Gorham 

who happened to be lying in the same ward called me to her bedside and expressed a wish 

to become a Catholic. Having asked her what she was she said she was a Protestant 40 

years and said she now wished to be Catholic. I called in the Hospital nurse and she 

expressed the same wish in her presence, she also said yesterday she wished to see the 

priest. I accordingly received her back and administered the last sacrament to her‟ (pp7-8). 

- Report from P. C. Gorham, Medical Officer, regarding the family in Derryqinla „....who have 

been suffering for many weeks from a very malignant form of influenza and I am happy to 

say they are now in a convalescent state, but still continue very weak. I have altogether 

visited these families upward of 40 times. 

I much regret to state that the nurse employed to attend them contracted the disease, which 

developed into a most dangerous attack of typhus fever. She died at her residence, Clifden, 

on Monday the 1 st April, and was interred next day. 

Her two daughters are now struck down with typhus and are in a most dangerous 

condition…‟ (p33). 

- „In consideration of the distress in this Union caused by the potato blight and the heavy 

expenses which the ratepayers are put to for seed potatoes it is resolved that the Guardians 

take the necessary steps to encourage the spraying of crops with “strawsonite” in order to 

check the blight and produce an increased yield, and that the LGB be asked to facilitate 

without delay the purchase of the necessary sprayers and material by advancing the funds 

required‟ (p141-2). 

- „Resolved: That we the Guardians...request the LGB will have John Higgins of Ballynew and 

Mark McDonnell of Knockbrack both in the Cleggan Division put on the Relief Works, as they 

are both very poor men with larege families and have no ways of support‟ (p143). 

- Resolved: That having regard to the frequent warnings of the LGB from the reports of their 

Inspectors as to the deplorable condition of our workhouse buildings, we, the Guardians 

most respectfully request the Government will come to our assistance by making it a suitable 

habitation for the destitute poor of those whose misfortune drives them under the shelter of 

its miserable roof. 

Owing to the great distress that exists in this Union the ratepayers (who suffered alike with 



41.


the non-ratepayers) will not be able to meet the wide-spread poverty out of the ordinary rates 

which will be so excessively high as that we fear there will be a difficulty in the collection 

thereof as we are already aware of the straightened condition of ratepayers…‟ (p144b). 

- „Resolved: That the Sisters of Mercy be allowed to connect their pipes for the Waterworks 

with the Waterworks pipes at the most convenient place for them to do so, and that they be 

free from taxation whatever if we can legally do so in connection with the waterworks. First, 

on the grounds of their being a charitable institution, secondly, they assist in keeping down 

the rates, having an Industrial School, and, thirdly they could insist on having a free fountain 

erected for the convenience of the Convent schools‟ (pp329-30, see also p395 & p527). 

- „Resolved: We the Guardians of the Clifden Union having a deep sense of the inestimable 

benefits bestowed on our poor county by Mr Arthur Balfour during the period he so ably filled 

the highly responsible position of Secretary for Ireland, in making a free grant of £276,000 

for the construction of the great Balfour line of rail, feel great pleasure in knowing that a 

Balfour now holds the same position. We feel no hesitation in bringing the wants and 

requirements of our people to his notice. 

The so called public works carried on in this county lately have not only been useless but 

mischievous and waste of public money. The great Balfour line of rail has considerably 

improved the commercial position of Clifden. 

We now would ask the Secretary to make a grant of £30,000 for the improvement of our 

Harbour…‟ (p385). 

79. 25 September 1895 – 1 April 1896 Includes: 

- „Resolved: that this Board having heard of the death of Mr James H. Tuke who was 

associated with this Union at a time when widely spread distress existed and who conferred 

so great a benefit on many hundreds of our people desire to place on record our sincere 

regret for the death of such a really true philanthropist…‟ (p339) 

- Report from the Acting Master referring to an invitation from the „Chief Officer of Coast 

Guard in this district for boys to join the Royal Navy. I have four inmates at present who are 

desirous of joining. I have not the least doubt but they would suit very well as they are quite 

healthy…‟ (p557, see also p573). 



42.



- „The Master reported that Michael Laffey an inmate refuses to comply with the workhouse 

rules and persists in disobeying his orders‟ (p51, see also p95-7, p249, p405, p469, see also 

GPL3/81, such as p229, p245, p283). 

- „On report of the Acting Master (Cloonan) it was resolved that the Relieving Officer 

prosecute Daniel Burke, a stonemason, for deserting his two sons, now inmates of the 

workhouse‟ (p73). 

- „Mr Cloonan (Acting Master) having been called before the Board states that he can produce 

no certificate of his age but what he has already produced which, Canon Lynskey states is 

not a true copy of the entry in the Baptismal Register; that the entry is the record of a 

different person and that Canon Lynskey withdrew that Certificate by direct observation on 

the 19 th April to Mr Cloonan and further by letter to LGB dated 19 th of April 1896‟ (p119, see 

also p163). 

- „Read notice of eviction at the suit of John J Eyre against Francis Davis and Tom Faherty of 

Aughrismore (Aughrus More), also at the suit of Anthony John Norris and Le Baron Henri 

D‟Ivaley against John Davis, Michael Davis and Joseph Davis of Aughrismore, also Morton 

[Frivan] against Judy Laffey‟ (p164). 

- „That the Clerk pay Dr Gorham the sum of £1.14.0 for the conveyance of Mary Scuffle of 

Inishbofin, an inmate of the House, to St Mark‟s Hospital, Dublin and back‟ (p168). 

- „Resolved: That having read the comments of the Editor of the “Galway Observer” relative to 

the members of this Board at their meeting on the 10 th instant. It is resolved that in future 

none of the printing business of this Board be given to the Observer paper‟ (p229). 

- „From the Master: With reference to the order made by the Guardians on the 17 th instant 

discharging an inmate named Pat Little, etc‟ (p249, see also p250). 

- „Instructions to be given to Mr Perry, C.S. (County Surveyor), Galway to prepare an estimate 

of the probable cost of having all the defective sewers in the town made perfect‟ (p259). 

- Ardbear Cemetery: „That tenders be invited from competent persons for the purpose of 

laying out the entire cemetery in proper sections with five or more walls leading at right 

angles from the old avenue; and preparing a reference map showing the grave spaces 

numbered consecutively in sections for the information of the Guardians and also for the 

supplying an estimate of the cost of repairing the existing boundary wall of the cemetery‟ 

(p281, see also p325). 

- Inmate Michael Nee, classed as a lunatic, „assaulted another inmate by striking him with a 

spade this morning…‟ (p293). 

- Report following death of July Folan who was „suffering from “persistent anaemia” and died 

from exhaustion caused by that disease. In my (Gorham, Medical Officer) opinion her death 

was not due or accelerated by want of sufficient nourishment‟ (p316). 



43.


- Archbishop of Tuam visited that workhouse and found the conduct of the inmates to be 

„satisfactory‟ but the bedding in the infirm wards was in „exceedingly bad condition‟ (p337, 

see also p381). 

- „Resolved: That Anne O‟Donnell of Bunowen E.D., Ellen Ward of Sellerna (Silerna) E.D. and 

Anne Conneely and child, of Clifden E.D., be discharged and that the Relieving Officer Mr T. 

Lydon take charge of them for the purpose of handing them over to their respective 

husbands, and report to the Board on this day week that he has done so‟ (p360). 

- Details of the estimate of rate to be applied to each E.D. (p383). 

- „The Master reported that James Noone, an inmate, absconded, leaving his three children 

after him in the house‟ (p403, see also p537, see also GPL3/81, p209). 

- „Resolved: That having learned that Mr Stephen Joyce who held the position of Relieving 

Officer under this Board for over 15 years has for the purpose of bettering his position 

emigrated to America, we beg to express our regret at the departure of this Officer whom we 

always found most courteous and agreeable in the discharge of his duties‟ (p471). 

- „Stating that they have been informed that the Medical Officer of the workhouse has been 

convicted at Petty Sessions of an assault on a workhouse inmate named Laffey and fined, 

etc‟ (p492, see also p558). 

- „Resolved: We the Guardians of the Clifden Union desire to call the attention of the 

Government to lawless state of Turbot and Turk islands, the collector of rates being unable 

to effect a landing there for the purpose of collecting the rates, being apprehensive of 

damage to his life and the Guardians would respectfully suggest the erection of a police 

protection hut there. The present arrears of rates due by the Islanders amount to £111.1.6, 

£101.12.6 being for seed rate under the Seed Supply Acts. This sum includes the second 

instalment of £6 due under the Seed Supply Act, 1895, and not more than £1 of this arrears 

will be ever collected unless a police hut is erected. 

The inhabitants of the Islands are at present well able to pay‟ (pp493-4). 

- „For assisting Dr McDonnell in a serious midwifery operation in case of Mrs John Wallace, a 

dispensary patient in the Renvyle Dispensary district £2.2.00‟ (p564). 

81. 10 October 1896 – 12 May 1897 Includes: 

- „That for the purpose of assisting the poor and labouring population of the Clifden District 

we….strongly urge upon the Government the necessity of an extension of the Clifden Pier 

or the erection of a suitable one at Doughbeg, Clifden Bay, as the fishing industry cannot be 

developed owing to this great want‟ (p48, see also p292). 

- „Read copy of a resolution passed by the Athlone Guardians relating to the deportation of 

paupers from Gt. Britain to Ireland‟ (p66). 



44.


- „Read letter from Miss Goulding of Warwick Sq., London, requesting permission to send 

toys, sweets, tea, tobacco, etc. to the children, invalids and old people in the workhouse at 

the coming Xmas tide‟ (p84, see also p191). 

- „Read letter from Mr Baird, Waterworks Contactor, relative to the keys of the waterworks 

which he had left in charge of a man named Mullen, and stating that it would only half cure 

matters if he were to send duplicate keys as there would be always the danger of 

interference with the others…‟ (p147) 

- Details of notice of eviction of Anne Cunningham, Aughrismore, Silerna ED. and Michael 

Halloran (p229). 

- Master advised the Guardians of the „great want of cooking arrangements in the kitchen of 

this House. Now as the new dietary is in force I cannot bring it into operation until such time 

as you erect a better mode of cooking. I consider it out of place to have potatoes, fish, tea 

etc cooked in the different wards of the house…‟ (p245). 

- John Conroy aged 9 years admitted provisionally, deaf and dumb (p339, see also p360). 

- Bridget Conneely, Roundstone arrived ‘here per workhouse van, dead…‟ (p375, see also 

pp394-5, p417). 

- Pat Wallace, Protestant, inmate, changed religion (p415). 

- Patrick Mullen, query over chargeability (p434, see also p489). 

82. 9 May 1897 - 1 December 1897 Includes: 

- „That in future, at all future Fairs to be holden in the town of Clifden persons offering pigs for 

sale on any day except the one next preceding the day upon which the Ordinary Fair is held 

will be prosecuted. Provided however that when such Fair day falls on Sunday and is holden 

on the Monday following, persons will be at liberty to offer pigs for sale on the Saturday 

previous‟ (pp62-3, see also p139). 

- „That Bridget Coyne and her two children, inmates of the workhouse, be allowed £1 worth of 

clothing provided she takes her discharge‟ (p88). 

- Master reported that „Michael Laffey, an inmate, alleged that he was assaulted by another 

inmate named Michael Conroy…‟ (p111, see also p163, p217, p372). 

- „There are two tenders for the repair of the avenues, etc. at Ardbear Cemetery …‟ (p139). 

- Master reported on the conduct of ‘three of the inmates, Sally O‟Donnell, Mary Lavery and 

Mary Walsh, whose conduct by the use of dirty, filthy language towards one another was so 

bad as could not be described…‟ (p163, see also p189). 

- Margaret Davis was admitted, suffering from typhoid fever (p189, see also p192). 



45.


- Transcript of letter from George E. O‟Flaherty, The Lodge, Ballyconneely regarding the site 

of the Ballyconneely graveyard, stating „it is most objectionable for very many reasons to 

have such in close proximity to a private residence‟ (pp203-4, see also p229). 

- Michael Cloherty, 13 years, who had absconded, was arrested (p214). 

- John Nearey also absconded (p241). 

- Female inmate, Mahoney, „has become deranged‟ (p347). 

- Mathias Connolly, Clifden, James Sullivan, Racecourse, John Davin, Clifden, Bartley Burke, 

Clifden, and Patrick Mannion, parents of several children, who refused to have them 

vaccinated (p381). 

- Bridget Mannion assaulted a boy (p397). 

- Letter from Dr Coney, „The CDB are about to divide the Carna Estate (Leonard estate) 

among the tenants, before making the division they have expressed a willingness to give a 

plot of land as a site for a Doctor‟s residence. I am most anxious that the Guardians should 

build me a house and Dispensary under a Board of Works loan… (p537, see also p615 & 

p667). 

- „…list of assessments proposed to be made on traders, etc, in the town of Clifden, for a 

„supply of water for ensuing year…‟ (includes list of names). 

- „Respecting the child of a deceased woman named Mullen, stating that it is now open to the 

Guardians to board it out under the provisions of the Act, 38 & 39 Vic, cap 38...‟ (p606). 

83. 8 December 1897 – 30 May 1898 Includes details relating to relief works, 

with names of supervisors, gangers, 

timekeepers and in many cases names of 

individuals, to work on the systems in the various electoral divisions, also includes: 

- „Copy of telegram sent by Clerk. 

Bennett Bros, Newry 

Guardians will accept 200 tons of Champion seed potatoes at £4 per ton on same terms as 

seed supply contract 1895...‟ (p9, see also pp36-7, p89). 

- LGB Letter „relating to the structural improvements required in the workhouse stating that 

they learn from their Inspector that the workhouse premises are becoming dilapidated…‟ 

(p11, see also p190, see also 28 November 1898, GPL3/84, p555). 

- „Resolved : Having heard the proposals of the LGB as to the desirability of establishing a 

labour test as to the relief to be given to the destitute poor, we decline to take the serious 

responsibility until we know what the Government is disposed to do to aid the already over 

burdened ratepayers of this Union. 



46.


From our knowledge of the extent of the destitution already existing in the Union we estimate 

that £20,000…will be required to enable the people to tide over the distress for the next six 

months‟ (p87, see also p139). 

- Report from Dr Gorham regarding the hospital conditions and also recommends a complete 

system of drainage for the workhouse (pp141-2). 

- „Resolved: The Guardians desire to say in reply to the LGB that they have already held 

meetings of the several Dispensary Committees and suggested works in the several 

electoral divisions, gangers, supervisors and the probable numbers in each Dispensary 

District that would be entitled to the labour test…‟ (pp164-5). 

- List of names of people approved of „as entitled to receive relief on the works now opened...‟ 

(p269) 

- Inmate William Davis, 26 years, absconded (p423). 

- LGB „Authorising the Guardians to administer relief out of the workhouse to such destitute 

persons as they may consider require it whether in occupation of land or not, for a further 

period of two months from the 29 th inst‟ (p659). 

- „Resolved: That the Clerk of the Union be directed to write to Mr Perry, County Surveyor, for 

all bills in connection with the making of a sewer in the town of Clifden, the items of material, 

etc. to be got and from who supplied‟ (p671). 

84. 8 June 1898 – 2 January 1899 Includes: 

- „That in families where there is long continued sickness and that have one employed on the 

Relief Works, the privilege of having wages extended from s 5/- to s 8/- a week be extended 

also, in the case of long continued sickness, even though the family have not the numbers 

required in all other cases‟ (p9). 

- „That the two deaf mutes Mary Conneely, aged 14, Errislanan ED, and John Conroy, aged 

10 years, chargeable to Knockboy E.D. now inmates of the workhouse be sent to Cabra 

Institution, Dublin, and that the schoolmistress go in charge of the children, her expenses to 

be paid‟ (p64). 

- „Miss King, Schoolmistress. reported Bridget Mannion, wards woman for abusive 

language...‟ (p137). 

- „Referring to the price of s 2/10 per stone proposed to be charged for the spraying mixture (for 

potatoes) stating that they understand that the Midland G. Western Railway are carrying the 

spraying machine and materials free of charge this year. 

The LGB must be under a mistake, as this Board has already paid the MGWR Co. the sum 

of £7.5.9 for the carriage of the mixture and there is a further sum still due‟ (p147, see also 

p204 & p560). 



47.


- „Approving of the proposed payment of a sum of seventy pounds to the Clerk of the Union in 

consideration of the extra duties devolving on him in connection with the Relief Works‟ 

(p242). 

- Due to the financial condition of the Union, the LGB decided to „make a further grant of £500 

to the distressed divisions of the Union to be apportioned among the highly rated divisions in 

the following manner…‟ (p243). 

- „That an inmate named Martin Coyne against whom Mr O‟Hara, PLG made some complaints 

a few Board meetings ago be allowed out while he conducts himself as a messenger, there 

being no other inmate in the House found suitable for this post‟ (p449). 

- Letter from Dr Loftus, Roundstone, advising of the „absolute necessity‟ for a Dispensary 

House (p459). 

- There are several tenders in connection with the repairs and improvements of the 

workhouse buildings submitted, which were referred to Mr Perry, the Guardians‟ Engineer, 

who was specially in attendance… 

Resolved: That Thomas W Little of 12 Harcourt St., Dublin, be declared Contractor for the 

Drainage of £188.19.10 and for the Sanitary plumbing and cooking at £356.4.0. Total 

amount of Mr Little‟s contract £545.3.10‟ (p555). 

- „Resolved that Mr Thomas Mc Williams of Clifden be declared contractor for the 

improvements in the Infirmary Dining Hall and structural improvements of the laundry and 

other parts of the workhouse building for the sum of £495‟ (p555). 

85. 9 January 1899 – 30 August 1899 Incorporates the minutes of Clifden Rural District 

Council from its first meeting on 15 April 1899 to 

16 August 1899. Also includes Alex Thom & Co. 

Ltd. Catalogues of Stationery for Poor Law Unions & Rural District Councils, details 

type of forms and volumes available and cost, such as ‘Blank Minute Book, with index, 

9 inches by 13, 5 quire, cloth, leather back, lettered 30.4.0’. 

Includes details relating to the establishment of the Clifden Rural District Council and 

procedures for the transfer of some functions to it 118 . Also includes:- 

- „That the storm of the past week has done very much damage to the House, about 20 feet of 

the eave-slates of the main building being swept away, etc.‟ (p29, see also p207). 

- LGB letter stating „that they expect the Clerks of Unions, Poor Rate collectors, and other 

officers to give every assistance and information in their power to Returning Officers, etc. in 

connection with the forthcoming elections of County and Rural District Councillors‟ (p96). 

118 

See for example pp140-1 & pp162-4 



48.


- „That inasmuch as that there were two elected Guardians for the Clifden E.D. and two exofficios 

we consider it would be necessary to have four District Councillors for the said 

Clifden Division‟ (p119). 

- „A memorial addressed to the Commissioners of Public Works was submitted by the Clerk, 

which was duly signed, praying a loan of £800 for the erection of a Doctor‟s Residence and 

Dispensary at Roundstone No. 2 Dispensary District‟ (p171). 

- „We, the Chairman and BG, desire to bring under the notice of the new Councils, the officials 

of this Board, from the Clerk of the Union to the humblest official, and to say that they have 

at all times discharged their duties satisfactorily, and we take this opportunity of 

recommending their continuance in office to the new Councils‟ (p209). 

- „That Pat Joyce, an inmate, in the Infirmary who is suffering from lead poisoning, be sent to 

the Galway Hospital for treatment…‟ (p216). 

- Following the election of the new BG and the newly established Galway County Council the 

LGB reminded the Board that it „will be necessary for them at their first meeting to make a 

demand on the Co. Co. for funds to meet the immediate requirements of their Union, etc. 

(p250). 

- „Resolved: That with the approval of the LGB the Board now order that a horse be 

purchased to be used for the conveyance of paupers and for the purpose of drawing stones, 

so that the able-bodied inmates may be employed breaking them under proper supervision 

and care taken that all “tramps” seeking the shelter of the house be employed breaking 

stones for at least one hour before getting breakfast and leaving the Institution‟ (p273). 

- „That tenders be invited for the erection of a Dispensary and Medical Officer‟s Residence at 

Roundstone No. 1 (Dispensary District) in accordance with plans and specifications 

proposed by Mr Hamilton and approved by the LGB‟ (p369, see also p501 & p545). 

- „Resolved: That whereas no amicable settlement can be made with Mr George O‟Flaherty 

about the purchase of an acre of ground adjoining the Ballyconneely Graveyard, so sadly, so 

long and so admittedly required, we instruct our solicitor to take necessary steps for having a 

Provisional Order made for the Compulsory sale of an acre of ground adjacent to the present 

graveyard at Ballyconneely…‟ (p436). 

86. 17 June 1899 – 20 February 1901 Meetings generally only held once a month. 

Includes: 

- „Resolved: That we require Mr King, Clerk of Union, to refund the £50 he received for alleged 

services tendered during progress of Clifden Waterworks, as we consider Mr King has acted 

illegally in issuing cheque for said £50 without first having obtained the sanction of the 

LGB….‟ (p20). 

- Copy of report from Roman Catholic Chaplain‟s book advising that he had baptized the 

„illegitimate child of an inmate of the House named Bridget Larkin…‟ (p32). 



49.


- „The Clerk stated that the arrears uncollected by the former Board of Guardians amounted to 

£263.10.0 and that these arrears were transferred to the County Council, and included in the 

recent collection of rates under the warrants issued by them, and that a sum of £289.6.8 was 

lodged to the credit of the Co. Co. under the head of a “Suspense A/C” in the National Bank, 

Clifden, but as against these sums a sum of £73.1.10 was required to square the balance of 

unpaid bills due by the former Board to and 25 th March last….‟ (p194). 

- „Resolved: That Home Rule should now be the order of the day… ‟(p195). 

- Tenders for supplies to the workhouse, detailing name of supplier, item and price (p276b). 

- Thomas Lydon, R.O., advised that the „expenditure for the outdoor relief in my district is 

£17.7.0…‟ (p362). 

- Letter from Bridget Riely, of Church Street, Clifden, wife of John, regarding her „hardship‟, 

both her husband and daughter Molly are „suffering in addition to their disease from extreme 

want of nourishment & want of attendance…‟ (p364b-c). 

- „Transcript of letter from Mary Walsh, „There is a little girl, Ellen Burke (daughter of the late 

Michael Burke), in the Workhouse. I take an interest in the child as a sister of hers now in 

America was a long time in my service and gave entire satisfaction. If you let me have the 

child I will undertake to support her and have her sent to school in accordance with the wish 

of her sister‟ (p422). 

- „…James Joyce of Emlaghdauroe has a child 3 years old who suffers from infantile paralysis 

and dumbness which requires special treatment in a children‟s hospital…‟ (p423). 

- „On the recommendation of the Medical Officer that an inmate named Michael Conneely be 

sent to the Galway Hospital…‟ (p468). 

- M.O. recommended that „Bridget O‟Brien, aged 10 years, a very serious case of Pott‟s spinal 

curvature…be sent for special surgical treatment…‟ (p469). 

- Pat Molloy entered workhouse „in a dying state…‟ (p490). 

- Report on death of inmate, Michael Toole, aged 70 years (p578). 

- Report of death of inmate Thomas Somers (p583). 



50.


1901 Census record for Workhouse School, Townland of Tullyvoheen, DED of Clifden with names of children on 31 st March 1901, includes Ellen Burke, perhaps the same referred to in 

the minutes 12 Sept 1900, GPL3/86, p422, 

(http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Galway/Clifden/Tullyvoheen/1369629/, Apr 2012) 

51.


1901 Census record for Bernard Bodkin, workhouse porter, Tullyvoheen, Clifden 

(http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Galway/Clifden/Tullyvoheen/1369624/, Apr 2012) 

52.


(87.) 

88. 27 November 1901 – 23 December 1902 Includes 

- „…affidavits taken in the case of Ellen Conneely, Hanna Cloherty, & Mary Conneely relative 

to the alleged fathers of their respective illegitimate children which were born in the 

workhouse…‟ (p52). 

- „The fact that Kate Lydon, an inmate of the house for years, having given birth to an 

illegitimate child, shows a laxity of discipline and a looseness of morals that ought not be 

allowed to prevail for a moment in any workhouse or well managed institution…‟ (p95). 

- „That on the 1 st instant an inmate named Bridget McConville admitted to the House on the 

20 th January last gave birth to a child…‟ (p96). 

- „…two families named John Coyne and Owen King, residing at Lettergesh East, and found 

them to be suffering from typhus fever…‟ (p241). 

- „….Mrs Elizabeth Bedlow a midwife belonging to your Board, was admitted to the Hospital 

here on the 6 th Apr inst. and died on the 26 th of April‟ (p249). 

- „On Saturday, May the 17 th , an inmate of the Clifden Convent Industrial School was admitted 

to the Infirmary of the workhouse upon a ticket of admission issued by the R.O.…. 

Mary Flaherty died on 22 nd inst of cerebra spinal (meningitis) disease‟ (p271). 

- „Resolved….That an application be made to the LGB for sanction to a loan for £1250 viz - 

£1,200 for alterations and repairs, which is to include a new addition to the Fever Hospital, 

and £50 for the building of a new ambulance‟ (p361, see also p405). 

- Nurse Annie Fennell elected midwife for Renvyle dispensary district (p461). 

- „…ticket of admission for the deaf mute Mary Durkin (inmate) aged 10 years to St. Mary‟s 

Convent Cabra‟ (p471). 

- List of Wardens appointed for the E.D.s of each Dispensary District (p547). 

- Letter from CDB regarding the „site for the erection of a Dispensary and Doctor‟s residence 

at Carna, stating that if there is no immediate intention of carrying out the work the Board 

would wish to dispose of the land in another way‟ (p594). 



53.


1911 census report for Carrolls, Mannin More (Doonloughan, Galway), showing that a niece, Anne, resides with the family, referred to in the Minutes of 

4 Feb 1903, p55, and also 8 Feb 1903, p75, GPL3/89 

(National Archives of Ireland, http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Galway/Doonloughan/Mannin_More/451100/, Apr 2012) 



54.


89. 7 January 1903 – 3 February 1904 Includes: 

- „Mrs Mary Carroll, aunt of a child named Anne Conneely aged 7 yrs, an inmate, requested 

the Guardians to allow her to adopt her, the child being an orphan…‟ (p55, see also p75 & 

p471, p494, p515). 

- Details of works to be carried out to workhouse, such as „kitchen – requires whitening‟, milk 

store – requires repairs to roof‟ (pp141-2). 

- Major Ruttledge Fair‟s report recommending the „sending out of the workhouse children to 

extern schools…‟ (p143, see also p163, p251, p317). 

- „That having observed with much pleasure the noble exertions of Lady Dudley in providing 

nurses for the poor districts in Ireland, we feel that in no part would the assistance of a 

trained nurse be more beneficial than on the Island of Bofin, and we respectfully beg to bring 

the matter under the notice of Her Ladyship‟ (pp285-6). 

- „That the office of schoolmistress be abolished and that the teacher be allowed yearly 

superannuation of £31.8.10….‟ (p317, see also p383, p471, p493, p495) 

- „Read a communication from the President and Secretaries of the Irish Workhouse 

Association requesting the attendance of six delegates from the Board at a PL Conference 

at Loughrea on the 8 th instant‟ (p383). 

- „There are no Protestant children in the workhouse nor has there been for over 20 years, 

should any come in who are not eligible to be boarded out Canon Fleming writes consenting 

to their being sent to his schools‟ (p471). 

- „Resolved: That as representatives of the Farmers of this Union we the Clifden BG are 

anxious to see the Land Question settled in accordance with the Land Purchase Act…‟ 

(p473). 

- „On recommendation of Dr Gorham, M.O. of the Workhouse two patients in the Infirmary 

were ordered to be sent to Dublin Hospital for special surgical treatment, viz Michael 

Gibbons and Michael Conneely‟ (p492). 

- „Read letter received from Her Excellency Lady Dudley…forwarding cheque £18 being a 

proportion of a gift made by Her Majesty Queen Alexandra on the occasion of her recent 

visit to Ireland, to be distributed for the benefit of the aged and infirm and the school children 

in some of the workhouses in the poorest parts of Ireland‟ (p494). 

- „Miss King, late schoolmistress in the workhouse offered to board out Annie Mahony aged 

13 years, next February and send her to the Clifden Convent National School, provided the 

Guardians allowed yearly what sum they considered fair for clothing, she would ask nothing 

for maintenance‟ (p519). 

- „….Catherine Joyce of Lissoughter, aged 75 years, married, arrived here at 5¾ pm on the 

12 th instant apparently in good health and died suddenly at 8¾ am on the 13 th instant…‟ 

(p557). 



55.


1911 Census House & Building Return from, with details relating to the Workhouse (no. 12 below) 



56.


90. 17 February 1904 – 18 January 1905 Includes: 

- „Resolved: We, the Clifden BG, have pleasure in bearing testimony to the heroism, the 

devotion to duty, and the skill shown by Dr O‟Hanlon whilst acting as locum-tenens of Carna 

Dispensary District. 

When he came there an epidemic of typhus fever of a malignant and treacherous kind 

prevailed. His predecessor, Dr Coney, had contracted and after 10 days illness fell, a victim 

to the disease, but he heroically stepped into the breach with the result that no fresh case 

has arisen since his arrival and the old patients are all completely convalescent. 

We greatly regret, from a knowledge of Dr O‟Hanlon‟s worth, that he could not be prevailed 

upon to accept the permanent appointment of M.O. of Carna Dispensary District. He leaves, 

however, with the best thanks and best wishes both of ourselves and of every person in the 

Carna District for his future success‟ (p43). 

- „LGB letter…requesting to be furnished with plans, specifications and estimates of the works 

of erecting the proposed Fever Hospital at workhouse, etc.‟ (p119, see also p229). 

- „…a woman named Sarah Conneely was admitted to the house on the 26 th of March last 

from [ ] Ballyconneely. She is 26 years of age and single, on the 2 nd of Apr she gave birth to 

a female child which was christened on the 11 th instant and called „Mary Early…‟ (p140). 

- Condition of patient named Patrick Connolly on his admission to the Ballinasloe District 

„Lunatic Asylum from the workhouse…‟ (p208, see also p229). 

- „…there is only one wards-woman in the body of the house who has to take charge, wash & 

scrub for 33 infirm old women, some of them bed-ridden. Along with that she does the 

washing of the male infirm ward. It is very sad as well as dangerous to see 16 or 17 old 

women by themselves at night, should any of them fall out of bed there is no one to put them 

back…‟ (p250, see also p339, see also pp579-80). 

- „In reply to the Guardians order “That unless the Carna Dispensary is put into proper repair 

the Guardians will surrender it”; I beg to state for the information of the Board that the 

building is now in thorough repair and everything has been done as required by Sir Acheson 

MacCullagh…‟ (p373). 

- Replies to queries from the Poor Law Reform Commission „...Yes, we consider from the 

decreased population and the economic condition of the county of Galway that it would be 

advisable to dissolve wholly some of the Unions therein by amalgamation, and we consider 

where a workhouse is dissolved that the Hospitals attached to such should also disappear if 

a saving of rates is to be effected….‟ (p383). 

- „…that the potato crop in this Union is a total failure, (we) beg to place before the 

Government the sad state of affairs and we give this timely notice and warning that we 

apprehend distress in the coming Winter and spring…‟ (p407, see also pp47102, p537). 

- „Read letter from Mrs Hall, Knockbrack, Athenry, stating that she in conjunction with Mrs 

Lambert of Castle Ellen and Mrs Hazel of Cashel intended giving their annual Xmas treat to 

the workhouse inmates and requesting lists, etc.‟ (p473). 

- Details of the quantities of seed potato required (pp515-8). 



57.


91. 1 February 1905 – 27 September 1905 Minutes include details relating to 

relief schemes, in some instances 

giving names of participants. Also 

includes detached lists from various Relieving Officers naming individuals in their 

Electoral Districts who are in need of relief (Mar 1905), and includes: 

- LGB letter enclosing „Sealed Order dated 16 th January 1905 as to the scheme proposed by 

the Government to cope with exceptional distress existing in the several EDs comprised in 

the Union which was unanimously rejected at last meeting‟ (p4). 

- LGB „approved of Relief Scheme for Inishbofin District Electoral Division and that they have 

authorised the employment from the 20 th instant of 34 workers on the North Beach Road to 

Bofin Island and of the appointment of one ganger and one supervisor to act as paymaster‟ 

(p102b). 

- Medical Officer reported „relative to the caring of a child named Thomas Geary. This child 

was born in the House. He is illegitimate and his mother died in Hospital…‟ (p196). 

- „The following persons on the recommendation of the Relieving Officers were approved of 

for employment on relief works...‟ (p198-199, see also p212). 

- „On the recommendation of Medical Officers Gorham & Loftus two patients viz :- Mary Geary 

who appears to be suffering from many symptoms of ____ __ ___ ____ and Edward Geary 

who suffers from ____ _____ were ordered to be sent for special treatment to Dublin 

Hospital‟ (p230c). 

(92.) 


- „There are three patients in the Infirmary all young children viz:- Bridget Davin, Annie Conroy 

and John Barrett….recommend you send these children to the Children‟s Hospital, Dublin…‟ 

(p52). 

- „….an inmate Ellen Conneely gave birth to a male child this morning. She is a native of this 

Union and unmarried and was admitted on the 18 th May 1906‟ (p116). 

- „an inmate named Patrick Cummins assaulted another inmate named John McDonogh on 

the 22 nd instant…‟ (p116, see also p164). 

- „A patient in the Infirmary named Michael Collins, Wheelright, was brought to the Infirmary 

last evening… another patient in the Hospital named Mrs Corrington….‟ (p132). 

- „Read copy of a resolution passed by the Oughterard Guardians requesting that a spoken 

and literary knowledge of the Irish language be a necessary qualification of all officials to be 

appointed in future to positions in the [gift] of the BG District Councils and County Councils‟ 

(p133). 

- „Read copy of a resolution passed by the Athlone Board of Guardians drawing attention of 

the Government to the dangerous and widespread practice of employment of unqualified 

women in attendance on midwifery case and requesting statutory powers may be obtained 

through the LGB to put an immediate and effectual stop to such a highly dangerous, and in 

many cases fatal, custom‟ (p207). 



58.


94. 9 January 1907 – 28 August 1907 Includes: 

- „Resolved: Observing the increased number of applications for outdoor relief and though the 

Board see the necessity for same owing to the want of employment in the District together 

with the failure of the potato crop. The high rating prevents us from relieving the poor as we 

should like to. 

We therefore request the Government will come to our assistance by starting relief works in 

the District or to proceed with the erection of the pier at Doughbeg so long promised‟ (pp111- 

112). 

- Report from the Medical Officer advised that „Michael Mulkern died on yesterday as the result 

of dangerous injuries received at Marconi‟s works. The funeral expenses, coffin etc are I 

understand to be borne by the Company. I would strongly recommend that a few coffins be 

always kept in stock, so as to avoid the necessity of keeping a deceased patient longer than 

absolutely necessary in the wards where patients are treated…‟ (p250) 

- “I have visited the whole place in company of the Master. I am astonished to see the house 

clean, tidy etc, comfortable. Thousand thanks for the kindness of the Master”, A Charpentier, 

Paris. 

The Guardians are much pleased with this report‟ (p529). 

95. 11 September 1907 – 24 June 1908 Includes: 

- „Resolved: That we propose a vote of thanks to the Right Rev Monsignor W Alpine P.P. V.G 

nominee of His Grace the Archbishop, and Rev Father Kelly as the nominated witness of our 

Board, at the Royal Commission on congestion for the very brilliant and judicious evidence 

given by them before that Body in the interest of all classes in Connemara and Connaught 

generally, and we hope that full weight will be given to the proposed solution in the finding of 

the Commission‟ (p22, see also p38 which includes letter of thanks from J. Healy, 

Archbishop of Tuam). 

- „Resolved: That the attention of the Galway County Council be again called to the fact that 

exceptional distress exists in this Union and that the said County Council be requested to 

take the necessary steps to apply to the LGB to have the 13 th Section (of Local Government 

Act) put in force‟ (p262b). 

- LGB ‟....letter received from an inmate of the Workhouse named Patrick Toole, relative to the 

conduct of the Master and requesting the Guardians to be so good as to inquire into the 

matter and furnish the Board with their observations‟ (p277, see also p293). 

- LGB „In reply to the Guardians‟ resolution of the 25 th inst., in regard to the existence of 

exceptional distress in the Union, stating that the Unemployed Fund is not available for the 

relief of distress among occupiers of land in Rural Districts. Moreover the portion of this Fund 

which was at the Board‟s disposal has now been distributed‟ (p277). 

- Medical Officer recommended that two patients, Colman Lydon and Pat Cannon, be sent to 

Galway Hospital for treatment‟ (p310b). 

- „Resolved: That in consideration of poor in our workhouse, aged 70 years & over, and 

having fully considered how Mr Asquith‟s old age pension scheme affects [ ] to the fact that 

they are in receipt of Poor Law relief, and knowing as we do the deep rooted prejudice 

existing amongst the poor against the workhouse, and that they would rather live in their own 



59.


homes on five shillings a week than spend their declining years in a paupers‟ home, we 

strongly urge upon our representatives in Parliament to exert themselves, so that our aged 

poor in receipt of Poor Law relief may be included in the Pension fund provided by the State. 

The matter of pressing urgency is the removal of the poor of 70 years & over from the 

workhouse and this can be accomplished by the removal of the limitation which Mr Asquith 

proposes. If the PL Boards make an average estimate of the amount they have been 

spending on the poor over 70, both in the workhouse as well as in outdoor relief for some 

years past, and hand it over to the Government as a contribution to the fund, every poor 

person over 70 may receive the promised pension of 5/ per week. The Poor Law system is 

bad and vicious. It is costly and demoralising, wherever therefore a better system can be 

[adopted] its sphere should be curtailed and give relief to the poor in a form that will be more 

acceptable and beneficial‟ (p39b, see also GPL3/96, p223). 

- „….inmate named John Conneely summoned another inmate, named Michael King, for 

assaulting him…‟ (p404). 

96. 8 July 1908 – 23 June 1909 Includes: 

- Medical Officer‟s report, „All the fever patients are prepared to proceed home at any time. 

They had practically no clothing when brought to the Hospital. They will leave this day if you 

provide suitable clothing for them. They were literally in rags on arrival. The longer these 

people are retained here the more expense will be incurred. I have discharged the Fever 

Nurse. As the children, 3 in number, are unable to walk the long distance, 10 miles, I would 

recommend that a car be employed to convey the 3 children and the mother.…‟ (p4). 

- Inmate Pat Folan „complained that he had been assaulted by the Wardsman, Pat 

Conneely...‟ (p40). 

- Visiting Committee reported that they inspected „the work done by Messrs Emerson 

Contractors and found that it was done to our satisfaction with the exception of a little limewashing 

which the Contractors undertook to complete at once. We recommend that they be 

paid the balance of their contract. We recommend that the Matron‟s (room) be put in proper 

repair similar to the Master‟s…‟ (p57, see also p78 & p201-203). 

- „…John Geary was admitted on the 7 th inst without his wife and children on ticket from the 

R.O. and is still in the house…‟ (p202) 

- „Relieving Officer Lydon submitted his report for the month of November together with 

Teacher‟s Certificate in respect of the boarded out child Annie Conneely‟ (p223, see also 

GPL3/97, p66 & p106c) 

- LGB letter „...relative to a report received from the Office of the Chief Secretary to the Lord 

Lieutenant, transmitted by the Constabulary authorities, in which it is stated that Patrick King, 

John and Bridget Moran (Mongan) in the Silerna E.D. of the Clifden Union, were evicted for 

non-payment of rent by the Trustees of the late J.J. Eyre etc, and that due notice was not 

served on the Relieving Officers‟ (p257, see also 258b). 

- „The condition of the female infirm wards is and has been for more than a week practically 

uninhabitable owing to the chimney being choked apparently at the top. The poor old 

inmates of this ward can scarcely breathe owing to the volumes of smoke which apparently 



60.


has no outlet. I myself have had experience of this nuisance and I can defy anyone to 

remain more than 10 to 15 minutes in the ward…‟ (p274). 

- „…patient in the infirmary named Powel from Bofin Island who has been under treatment for 

many months…‟ (p274). 

- „Resolved: That as this our first meeting since the sad boating disaster at Inishbofin resulting 

in the death by drowning of three young men we desire to place on record our deepest 

sympathies with their bereaved relatives and friends…‟ (p276). 

- „I beg to inform you that a woman named Fanny Dowd with two children was admitted to the 

house on the 19 th inst owing to being deserted by her husband‟ (p346, see also GPL3/97, 

p765). 

- „…woman named Bridget Ridge was admitted to the house on the 27 th March….‟ (p346). 

- „Resolved: That Guardians desire to convey to the LGB the fact that best beef and mutton 

could not be purchased on foot at the price tendered for by Miss Lydon and had the 

Guardians accept her tender it would be only repeating the irregularities disclosed at the 

recent inquiry viz:- a shortage of weight, Miss Lydon has not entered into a bond for the 

fulfilment of her contract in respect of the items she was declared contractor for on the 24 th 

ultimo and, as a result the workhouse Master has to purchase these articles elsewhere at a 

higher price‟ (pp365-6, see also p419). 

- „A patient named Bridget Greene arrived at the Infirmary on the1 st inst…‟ (p431). 

- „Referring to the Guardians minutes of the 9 th instance as to the sate of mind of Private 

Joseph Feeney who was discharged from the service as a harmless lunatic…‟ (p476). 

97. 14 July 1909 – 14 June 1911 Includes Rural District Council A4 poster 

relating to Labourers‟ (Ireland) Acts, 1883 

to 1906), also includes: 

- „…inmate named John Faherty or Neary latterly admitted to the house…‟ (p3). 

- „A patient in the hospital named Pat Davin scaled the walls and left without permission. 

To be prosecuted‟ (p84). 

- „….an old woman named Mrs McDonagh died in the house on the 2 nd inst…‟ (p204). 

- „An imbecile child 11 years of age or thereabouts was admitted to the Workhouse this day. 

This child was sent to Cabra institution some few years ago by the BG and rejected by the 

Authorities of that institution as being unfit for treatment. The poor child is now in our hands 

and we are in charity bound to look after him. I therefore request you will be good enough to 

secure the services of a proper attendant to care for the child‟ (p305). 

- Inmate Delia McDonagh assaulted the Matron (p323, see also p704). 

- Inmate Mrs Elwood and two children admitted (p323). 

- Medical Officer reported that „We have two paying and 26 ordinary patients at present in the 

Hospital. Most of these are very old and infirm and have been transferred by your directions 



61.


from the male and female infirm wards in order to relieve congestion in these wards…‟ 

(p363). 

- „Resolved: That in future old aged pensioners seeking admission to the workhouse infirmary 

be not admitted unless they agree to pay the sum they receive weekly, for their maintenance 

and treatment whilst in the house‟ (p386). 

- „Resolved: That at this our first meeting since the death of our most Gracious Sovereign 

Edward VII desire to record our profound sorrow and beg respectfully to tender through his 

Excellency the Lord Lieutenant our heartfelt sympathy to King George V and Queen Mary 

and the Dowager Queen Alexandra in their great affliction, and out of respect to the memory 

of his late Majesty this meeting stands adjourned for a fortnight‟ (p425). 

- „….14 inmates who will avail themselves of the old age pension on the 5 th January (1911) 

will require clothing on taking their discharge from the House‟ (p764). 

- „…I regret to report the death of Mary McDonagh, age 16, of Inishlacken Island, from typhoid 

fever. Her sister Annie, a child of seven or eight years, is now in hospital suffering from the 

same disease….The other children brought up in from Inishlacken are now I think out of 

danger, certainly those admitted on Dec 30 th ‟ (p804, see also p865). 

- „Ordered: On the recommendation of the Medical Officer, That a deaf mute, Patrick Cannon, 

be sent to Cabra Institution…‟ (p950). 

- Two patients, Bridget Lavelle, of Knock, Inishbofin, and Bridget Lydon (p986b). 

98. 28 June 1911 22 May 1912 Includes: 

- „….a man named Michael Mannion aged 20 years was admitted to the House on the 15 th 

June…‟ (p24, see also p46). 

- „…inmate named John Malley came into the bread store…‟ (p104). 

- „The case of the admission of the infant named Mary Heaney, from Letterfrack on August is 

in my opinion, one that calls not only for inquiry but for severe censure on the parties 

concerned…‟ (p124). 

- „…Alfred Sherwood, admitted on the 3 rd inst from Letterfrack, scaled the garden wall on 

yesterday and has not since returned…‟ (p184). 

- Master advised that „relative to the Lunatics in the workhouse, I beg to state that they are 

now bathed once a week and are clean and tidy…‟ (p185). 

- Joseph and Colman Green, aged 16 and 14 years, „deaf-mutes‟ to be sent to Cabra (p186c, 


- „I propose to execute the works at Roundstone Dispensary in accordance with specification 

for the sum of £22‟ (p200b). 

- Medical Officer called „attention to the condition of the Infirmary wards and would respectfully 

urge the visiting committee to inspect these wards and see for themselves the sad and 

dilapidated condition of affairs, with the least possible delay…‟ (p204). 

- „It is with regret I have once again to call the attention of the Guardians to the gross abuse 

attending inmates being frequently allowed out to town, staying there hours, going from 



62.


public house to public house to the scandal of the people, and to the discredit of a public 

institution, should this continue….‟ (p344). 

- „That we, the members of the Clifden District Council and Board of Guardians welcome the 

Home Rule Bill and congratulate Mr John E. Redmond and the Irish Party on their success in 

having a measure introduced acceptable to the Irish race at home and abroad‟ (p466). 

99. 12 June 1912 – 28 May 1913 Includes: 

- LGB letter „relative to the proposal to board-out a child named Samuel McDonagh, etc. 

Certificate of the Chaplain sent herewith. The child was admitted to the Workhouse on the 

7 th April 1910‟ (p265, see also p286). 

- „On the recommendation and certificate of the M.O a patient named Winifred Heavey who 

has been in the Hospital for nearly two weeks, suffering from an enormously enlarged 

tonsils, was sent to Galway Hospital for treatment‟ (pp265-6). 

- „Ordered: That a deaf and dumb mute named Annie Coyne, 8 yrs, be sent to Cabra 

Institution, Dublin, on the usual terms, £15 a year, and £1 for an outfit‟ (p266). 

- „Resolved: That this our first meeting since the death of Major Robert Ruttleledge Fair, LG 

Inspector who was permanently in charge of this Union for over 22 years desire to place on 

record our sincere regret….‟ (pp285-6). 

- „Resolved: That in consequence of the death and burial this day of Dr Anthony Gorham, 

Glen [Trasna] Clifden, Deputy Inspector General Royal Navy, and as a token of respect to 

his memory no business be transacted and that we desire to convey to the families of the 

deceased our sincere sympathy and condolence in this sad bereavement‟ (p325). 

- „Re: Overcrowding at Ballinasloe Asylum….the (Visiting) Committee after visiting the several 

wards in the Workhouse have come to the conclusion that about 150 of the harmless 

inmates at the Asylum could be accommodated in the main building at present occupied by 

50 old but healthy inmates who could easily be transferred to the front range of the (Clifden) 

workhouse now unoccupied…‟ (p383). 

100. 11 June 1913 – 10 June 1914 Includes: 

- „Read letter received from the Department of State Washington replying to the resolution of 

the Guardians on the 28 th May last, relative to the deportation of Michael Faherty by the 

Immigration Officials of the Country, which has been referred to the Department of Labour‟ 

(p25). 

- LGB letter „Respecting the proposed employment of Dr F Norman Hitchcock as temporary 

MO of the Renvyle Dispensary district during the absence of Mr MacDonnell on vacation etc 

approving of the arrangements‟ (p179). 

- „That Doctor Loftus, who has resigned the Medical Officership of the Roundstone No. 1 

Dispensary District, be now appointed temporary M.O. of the Clifden No. 2 (Inishbofin) 



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Dispensary District pending the permanent appointment, and that he be paid rate of £4.4.0 

per week for his services‟ (p259). 

- „That we respectfully request the consent of the LGB to be allowed divide the Clifden No. 1 

Dispensary District into two Districts with the object of appointing two doctors instead of one, 

as in the past, as we consider it utterly impossible for any one doctor to conscientiously 

attend the numerous calls from such a wide area extending over the two parishes of Omey 

and Ballindoon‟ (pp298-9). The resolution for lost 19 /11. 

- „The position of Dispensary Doctor for Roundstone No. 1 being so long vacant and no 

application being received for same we propose that the salary be increased from £120 to 

£140 per annum to induce a Doctor to apply for the position‟ (p378). 

- „That a sum of eight pounds thirteen shillings and three (pence) be paid to the Sisters of 

Mercy, Clifden, in respect of services performed by substitutes employed on behalf of Sister 

Mary of Mercy Byron to discharge the duties of night nurse from the 14 th January, being the 

date upon which Sister M Ligouri resigned, and the 11 th March, being the date upon which 

the Guardians appointed Miss Maud McVeigh as temporary night nurse...‟ (p465). 

- „The Master reports that an inmate, named Michael King, was committed as a lunatic to 

Ballinasloe Asylum on the 8 th instant for having assaulted another inmate named Joseph 

Kelly. He was deported from America some time ago as a harmless lunatic; on several 

occasions he scaled the walls and refused to have a change of clothing‟ (p524). 

101. 24 June 1914 – 23 June 1915 Includes: 

- „The Master reports:- that a man named James Fox, deported from America as a harmless 

lunatic, was admitted to the house on the 14 th inst. on a ticket issued by the Relieving 

Officer‟ (p4, see also p65, p106). 

- „That patients treated in the Hospital at present and for some time past, and who are able to 

pay, be made pay for their maintenance at the rate of seven shillings a week, and that the 

names of such patients be furnished‟ (p27). 

- Dr Casey, M.O. advised „With the approval and sanction of the LGB I propose to use one of 

the hospital wards for the purpose of teaching first aid work to a section of the local National 

Volunteers which in co-operation with the Ladies‟ National Health Association will form a 

local “Red Cross” Corps. The wards would be only used for one hour daily and would not 

cause any inconvenience to patients or others‟ (p64). 

- „Ordered: That the “Irish Volunteers” newspaper be included in the list of papers to receive 

advertisements‟ (p108). 

- „Mrs Greene midwife for the Clifden No. 1 Dispensary District forward a medical certificate 

dated 26 th Oct signed by Dr O‟Dea, Galway, to the effect that she was suffering from neuritis 

and would be unfit for duty for a month‟ (p199). 

- LGB letter re „proposal to board-out from the workhouse a child named John Joyce with Mrs 

Honoria Coyne of Sheeauns‟ (p245, see also p307). 

- „Mr Emerson, Architect, again applied for payment of £25.10.6, in respect of his services in 

preparation of plans, specifications, and estimates relative to the proposed dispensaries and 

Medical Officers‟ residences at Carna and Inishbofin, particulars sent herewith‟ (p259). 



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- „....complaint made by an inmate of the institution named John Reilly, as to the management 

of the workhouse...‟ (p286, see also p327 & p345). 

- Master‟s report, „.... Bill received from Mr Leonard for a special coffin, £2.5.0, supplied for 

John Conroy a patient who died in the Hospital...‟ (p454, see also 23 June 1915, p5, & 

GPL3/102, p27). 

- Letter from Ellen Schley, Matron, relating to a letter from the LGB „relative to me keeping my 

two children in the house. As you are aware the Guardians were good enough to give me 

permission to do so, and I trust you will be kind enough to allow me to keep them for 

sometime longer until I get a place for them outside‟ (p506). 

102. 5 July 1915 – 12 July 1916 Includes: 

- Letter from the Master, M. Lavelle, to the BG, advising „Having offered my services to the 

defence of our Country during the War, which the War Office have accepted, granting me a 

Commission, I trust you will allow me the necessary leave, and I beg to recommend to you 

Mr John Lydon of Streamstown as my substitute. He will undertake to discharge the duties 

for a salary at the rate of £50 a year with rations‟ (p6). 

- „Read circular letter received from the War Office, dated 8 th Sept 1915, requesting to be 

informed to what extent it has been possible to release eligible men from the Establishment 

to join His Majesty‟s Forces since the LGB Cir Letter No. 55/M/1915 dated 16 th April last. 

The only officer who applied was the workhouse master who was released on the 5/7/1915. 

(p145). 

- „Resolved: That, subject to the sanction of the LGB, the Clifden No. 2 Dispensary District be 

amalgamated with the Clifden No. 1 D.D. and that the fixed salaries attached to the latter 

district viz £170 for the office of M.O. and £10 as Medical [Examiner] of Health be added to 

Dr Casey‟s salary as M.O. of the combined districts. Dr Casey to contribute a sum of £30 

annually for the upkeep of a nurse on the island of Inishbofin whom the Guardians propose 

to appoint at a salary of £20 a year‟ (p338, see also p378, with notice of motion to rescind, & 

p399, p419, p438). 

- Boarding out of Joseph Baker, aged 14 months (p405, see also p487). 

- „Resolved: That we condemn the misguided action of those responsible for the recent 

rebellion in Ireland and that we tender to Mr Redmond and his Party our confidence‟ (p425, 


- „That a scheme of amalgamation of the PL Unions and workhouses of the county is required, 

provided it be properly carried out and is a saving to the ratepayers, due attention being paid 

to the efficient administration of the Medical Charities Act in any scheme of amalgamation‟ 

(p466). 

103. 22 July 1916 – 11 July 1917 



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104. 25 July 1917 – 11 September 1918 Includes: 

- „The Master reports that an inmate, named Bridget O‟Connor, for refusing to obey orders. 

She acts in the capacity of an Auxiliary Matron, saying she will do what she likes….‟ (p70). 

- Letter of complaint from the Matron regarding the conduct of female inmates, Annie Fox, 

Honor Kelly, and Annie Hart who assaulted another inmate, named Sarah Gorham (p224). 

- „That we hereby warn the Government that any attempt to force conscription in this Country 

will be accompanied with disastrous consequences and we further warn them, if such 

measure be enforced, it will be forcibly resisted‟ (p359). 

- „That the maintenance allowances for boarded-out children be increased, from three shillings 

a week to five shillings, during the war, and that the clothing allowance be increased from 

thirty shilling a year to forty shillings‟ (p365). 

105. 18 September 1918 – 26 November 1919 Includes: 

- Lord Killanin of Spiddal, HM L Co. Galway, County Director Red Cross Committee, notified 

that his Committee had a surplus stock of medical and surgical appliances and that they 

would be pleased to give a supply of those articles not exceeding one year‟s requirement, to 

hospitals in the County of 25 beds and upwards, which was referred to Dr Casey, M.O., who 

filled in the necessary form of application and forwarded it to him, at the same time pointing 

out the difficulty the Guardians experience from time to time in the conveyance of sick 

persons to the Hospital by horse ambulance, particularly that of last year in connection with 

the ____ typhus cases, with a request that his Lordship would kindly use his influence in 

getting the Guardians a motor ambulance, to which Lord Killanin, replied saying the request 

met with his approval and he would have much pleasure in recommending the application to 

the Red Cross authorities in Dublin (pp291-2. See also p511 & GPL3/106, p6, p60). 

- „Read letter received from Mr James McDonnell of Letterfrack, rural postman, who is the 

father of a deaf and dumb child, 6½ yrs old, offering to contribute 5/- a week towards the 

maintenance of the child in Cabra Institution provided the Guardians got him admitted 

thereto and pay the balance. 

His contribution to continue whilst in receipt of war bonus‟ (p490, see also p533). 

106. 10 December 1919 – 28 July 1920 Includes some loose correspondence, such as notice 

regarding annual meeting June 1920. 

- Master reports „there is great difficulty in keeping an inmate named John Reilly from the 

female side of the house‟ (p40). 

- LGB letter „regarding the correspondence which has taken place between them and the BG 

of the Ballinasloe Union and the Boards of Guardians of other Unions in the County Galway 

on the subject of the proposed scheme for amalgamation of Unions in the county‟ (p41, see 

also p58). 

- „Read an application for a little boy named Martin Nee, age 7 years, received from Mr J.J. 

King of Leagaun, Clifden under the boarded-out system...‟ (p61). 



66.


- „Mr Emerson, Architect, furnished a claim for payment of £6.0.0 for preparing plans, 

specification and estimate for converting the Fever Hospital into a hospital for consumptives 

and furnishing same. Estimate £119. Fee at 5%. 

To be paid. The works have not been carried out‟ (p78). 

- Proposal to board-out a child named Patrick Nee (p223, see also GPL3/107, p111 & p143). 

107. 11 August 1920 – 28 December 1921 During this period the minutes include 

details of correspondence from both the 

LGB and Dáil Éireann and instructions 

from Dáil Éireann to sever all future communication with the LGB. Also includes: 

- „LGB mis letter mp 122/1920M 

Calling attention to the series of resolutions passed by certain local authorities in Ireland 

repudiating the authority of the Imperial Parliament and disclosing their intention to place 

every obstacle in the way of existing administration under His Majesty‟s Government. 

Marked “Read”‟ (p5). 

- „Read letter received from Dáil Éireann, dated August 1920, Labour Department relative to 

forming a permanent Cnciliation Board for the purpose of arriving at a settlement of such 

questions as advance of wages, length of working hours and other questions that may 

arise...‟ (p22b). 

- Master advised the Board that a „troop of the 6 th Dragoon Guard commandeered the strawhouse 

and coffin-house from Sunday the 10 th inst. till Tuesday the 12 th . The horses were 

stabled in the straw-house and the men in the coffin-house. They were supplied with turf for 

cooking purposes during the time they were here‟ (p68). 

- „Read letter received DÉ dated 11 th Oct. 1920. Following the instruction ordering a complete 

severance of relations with the English LGB, all Dispensary M.O.s be notified that the half 

yearly returns hitherto sent to that institution must be henceforth forward to this Department, 

and to no other body‟ (p79). 

- „Read letter received from the Secretary of the Galway County Council....stating that in 

consequence of the stoppage by the government of the grants in aid of local taxation the 

County Council are unable to pay in full the demands of the BG and Rural District Council for 

the year ending March 1921...‟ (p80). 

- Letter from DÉ which confirmed a „report of the Commission which has sat to consider the 

relations between Public Bodies and the English LGB in Ireland and ordered, as from 1 st 

October, the authority and supervision of the LG Department of DÉ be substituted for that of 

the English LGB. 

Obedience to this Decree involves a compete severance of relations and a complete 

stoppage of communications with the Custom House on the part of Irish Public Bodies and 

the furnishing of this Department of all minutes and returns that were hitherto forwarded to 

the Custom House...‟ (p118). 

- Letter from DÉ advising that „Definite information has reached this Department that minutes 

of the proceedings of your Board and its constituent RDCs are still being forwarded to the 

English LGB in contravention of the Dáil Decree of the 17 th of September which ordered a 



67.


complete severance of relations between Irish Public Bodies and that Department of the 

English Government. 

You are requested to write immediately to the “Chairman of the Estates and Finance 

Committee, Dublin Corporation” stating whether minutes are being forwarded to the enemy 

institution by direction of your Board and its constituent Councils....‟ (p133, see also p175, 

p213). 

- Inmate Mrs Annie Hart (p197, see also p211). 

- „...the inmate, Kate Faherty, who gave birth to an illegitimate child....‟ (p197, see also p211). 

- Artificial limb for Mary Connelly (aged 18) (p212). 

- Clerks advises Board of search of his office by „RIC and two of his men (armed)....they made 

a thorough search and scrutiny of all the documents, minute books, etc., carrying away with 

them recent correspondence, circular letters, etc., received from Dáil Éíreann, and two 

letters, one addressed to the Chairman of the Board of Guardians, and the other to the 

Chairman of the District Council‟ (p243). 

- Inmate Peggy Gorham left the „...house, leaving her child behind her‟ (p276). 

- „Proposed by Mrs Gordon 

Seconded by Mr Vaughan, & unanimously agreed to 

“That from today we, Sinn Féin Guardians sever our connection with the English Local 

Government Board and adopt Dáil Éíreann instead‟ (p278). 

- „...call on Dr.s Casey of Clifden & MacDonnell of Letterfrack to resign their positions as 

Medical Officers of the district. We do so because of the neglect of duty, on Dr Casey‟s part, 

in connection with the fever outbreak last May. In Dr MacDonnell‟s case for leaving his 

district without leave‟ (p358, see also p406). 

- Canon McAlpine, „...I feel bound, in the interests of the sick poor of the Clifden Union, to 

express the opinion that the proposed closing of the Hospital, necessitating the removal of 

the sick to Galway, will be a grievance and a hardship of the first order, while it will [do] 

anything but tend to effect economy‟ (p437). 

- Summary of superannuation allowance and gratuities awarded to „dis-employed officers‟ of 

the Clifden Union (p438b). 

- ‟11 inmates viz:- Martin Coyne, John Wallace, Wm McDermot, Stephen Kearney, Martin 

Connolly, John Connolly, Austin Downey, Mrs Lydon, Mrs Mullen, Annie Hart and Mrs Fox 

were allowed clothing and bedding to the value of three pounds each (£3)...‟ (p558). 

- „That clothing & bedding to the value of £3 each be allowed to Jack Conroy and Mary 

Conneely, on their taking their discharge‟ (28 Dec 1921). 

- „That the workhouse Porter, Mr Joyce, be allowed to remain in the workhouse for the winter 

as he has no home to go to‟ (28 Dec 1921). 



68.




69.


B. Incoming Letter Books, 1849 

Volumes with printed and handwritten letters and circular letters, primarily from the Poor 

Law Commission, often signed by or on behalf of Secretary W Stanley, to the Board 

regarding the running of the Union, in particular requesting various returns, such as on the 

number of deaths in the workhouse and on expenditure, repayment of loans, surrender of 

premises used for Kylemore auxiliary wards, the size of the Bunowen auxiliary house and 

the number of inmates to be accommodated there, and upcoming election of Guardians. 

Average size 250pp 

108. 26 May 1849 - 4 August 1849 Includes: 

- From the PLC „...that the building at Bunowen taken for the purpose of an auxiliary workhouse 

will be ready for the reception of poor persons on the 4 th inst, and in reference thereto, I am to 

state that the occupation of this building will afford you an opportunity of offering relief, on the 

condition of entering the workhouse, to cases on the outdoor relief lists, which may be 

considered to be doubtful‟ (4 Jun 1849). 

- From the PLC „...in some cases the Meal given to persons receiving Out-door Relief is not of 

the same quality as the sample on which the supplies were contracted for, and they desire me 

to request the particular attention of the Guardians to the matter...‟ (11 Jun 1849). 

- From Matthew Coney, Hermitage, Ballindoon, suspended Relieving Officer, seeking payment 

of a „small instalment thereof to assist me on towards the support of my helpless family during 

a [___] of unparalleled wretchedness in this afflicted county fraught with famine, pestilence and 

but alas, Job‟s comforters were more consoling than personagse whom the Ruler of Rulers has 

been in his mercy pleased to place over his creatures to manage for and succour them in their 

trials...‟ (p7), and „I having also witnessed so much money laying out for other purposes, such 

as embellishing auxiliary workhouse, etc., while thousands of our fellow creatures are perishing 

through the country. I was impressed with the hope my humble application might be listened 

to, but I believe the mighty of the day would as soon their humble fellow beings were all 

annihilated; it is not to be wondered at that discontent from such treatment should be deeply 

mis-planted in their throbbing bosoms‟ (pp9-10) (28 May 1849). 

- Copy letter from George Wilkinson, Architect, regarding employment of a Clerk of Works to 

oversee some works at the workhouse (25 Jun 1849). 

- From PLC „...The Commissioners are satisfied that exclusive of the saving it would be to the 

Union, there is not anything which tends more to improve the morals and habits of the poor 

who are compelled to become inmates of workhouses than a regular system of industrial 

employment, and they have therefore directed me again to request your attention to this 



70.


subject, with a view to such at once being taken as may be in your power to provide the proper 

implements and materials for the employment of the workhouse inmates‟ (17 Jul 1849). 

109. 4 August – 26 October 1849 Includes: 

- From PLC regarding the size of the Bunowen Castle auxiliary workhouse, advising that they do 

not consider the stated dimensions of the principle day room is sufficient, „nor do they think that 

54 tables can be placed in this apartment without much overcrowding‟ (4 Aug 1849). 

- From PLC „The Commissioners think that accommodation might be provided in the workhouse 

for testing the destitution of the persons now on the outdoor relief lists, in all soulful cases, by 

discharging from the Workhouse some of the present inmates who are not now in a destitute 

condition only affording some of the inmates relief out of the workhouse...‟ (15 Aug 1849, p2). 

- From PLC noting the number which left the workhouse in the previous week and that „the number 

of persons relieved out of the workhouse who do not come under the 1 st Sect. of the Irish Poor 

Relief extension Act is only 674 and I am directed to state, that with these facts before them the 

Commissioners do not feel warranted in renewing the Order authorising you to afford outdoor 

relief under the 2 nd Sec of the Irish Poor Relief Extension Act‟ (28 Aug 1849, p2). 

- From Westport Poor Law Union „The island of Inishbofin having by a Sealed Order of the 

PLC dated 8 th inst, been separated from the Westport and attached to the Clifden Union, I 

am directed by the Vice Guardians of this Union to forward to you the enclosed list of the 

names of persons who are now in receipt of Outdoor relief in that island....‟, and „The 

paupers in the workhouse will be forwarded to Clifden by hooker, weather permitting‟ (19 Oct 

1849). 



71.


C. Diet Book for Healthy Inmates, 1856 - 1857 

110. 17 March 1856 – 28 Feb 1857 Pre-printed volume recording quantities of prepared 

food, such as milk, Indian meal, oatmeal, white 

bread, soup, required in pints, ounces, etc., for each 

class of inmate for breakfast, dinner and supper. 

Approx. 500pp 

D. Damp Press Copy Letter Book, 1903 - 1907 

111. 13 October 1903 – 3 June 1907 Outgoing letters from both the Clifden Poor 

Law Union and Clifden Rural District Council 

to various individuals and organisations, such 

as the LGB, Congested Districts Board 

(CDB), and Office of Public Works (OPW), regarding general administration issues, such 

as payment of loans, appointment of staff such as graveyard caretakers and medical 

officers, operation and names of people working on relief works. Includes subject index. 

Includes for instance letters regarding 

 

 

 

 

 

The abolition of the post of school mistress at the workhouse (p13). 

Boarded-out child Anne Conneely (p40) 

Roundstone waterworks (from Rural District Council) (p60) 

The distribution of seed potato (p462) 

Persons for employment on relief works (p494, p507-8) 

1,000pp 



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73.

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